Approval rates
Evaluating a judge requires looking at the broader context of their hearing office. While Don A. Harper has an approval rate of 53% since 2016, the 23 judges whose most recent office on record is San Antonio show a wide range of outcomes, from 18% to 70%. This variance highlights why the specific evidence in your file is critical. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Harper. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Harper's docket. Annual rates fluctuate with the mix of cases SSA assigns; the longer-run pattern is more informative than any single year.
Decision pattern
The approval trend for Don A. Harper has fluctuated over the years, beginning with a 51% approval rate in 2016 and reaching a high of 60% in 2017. Following a period of change, the rate was 50% in 2018, 47% in 2019, 58% in 2020, and 49% in 2021. These 2,078 decisions on record since 2016 show that approval patterns are not static. The data reflects shifts that may be influenced by changes in case complexity or the specific evidence presented in your hearings.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Harper's bench. Judge-specific preparation guidance requires a corpus of public Appeals Council decisions involving each judge, which we haven't built yet.
- Bring a clean treating-physician record. Longitudinal primary-care or specialist notes spanning the disability period, with consistent symptom documentation, are typically the strongest evidence at hearing. A single month's records usually aren't enough.
- Don't rely on consultative exams alone. If your medical evidence is built primarily around a one-time CE finding, expect detailed questioning. Supplement with treating-source statements where possible.
- Prepare for daily-activity questions. Have honest, specific answers about a typical day. Answers that conflict with the medical record (in either direction) tend to hurt credibility.
- Expect transferable-skills probing. A vocational expert will usually testify about jobs available to someone with your limitations. Your representative should be prepared to cross-examine.
About the San Antonio hearing office
Don A. Harper's most recent office on record is the San Antonio hearing office, as of September 2021. This office manages a bench of 23 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process where the judge evaluates your medical evidence against SSA criteria. You can see the San Antonio Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Antonio
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 23 judges whose most recent office on record is San Antonio, and their approval rates vary significantly from 18% to 70%. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
Approval rates change with a lawyer
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Frequently asked questions
Don A. Harper has an approval rate of 53% since 2016. Among the 23 judges whose most recent office on record is San Antonio, approval rates range from 18% to 70%. An attorney can help you understand how to present your case effectively regardless of your assigned judge.
Yes, the approval rate has fluctuated over the years, starting at 51% in 2016 and reaching 60% in 2017, before moving to 49% in 2021. These variations are common and often reflect changes in the types of cases heard. An attorney can help you prepare for your specific hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for the hearing process regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
An approval rate is a historical reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your outcome. While Don A. Harper approved 53% of cases since 2016, your individual result depends on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
