Approval rates
Judge Harper maintains a lifetime approval rate of 52% across 13,045 decisions. This performance aligns with the San Antonio Hearing Office average of 52%, though it remains 6 percentage points below the national average of 58%. These figures are derived from a significant docket size, providing a stable view of past decision patterns. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
Office- and national-level breakdowns of fully favorable vs denial rates aren't currently published by SSA in the per-office disposition data. The judge's own breakdown is the detail we have today.
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
Over a 6-year tenure, your judge’s approval rate has ranged from a low of 45% in 2019 to a high of 59% in 2017. The data indicates a steady pattern, with recent reporting periods reflecting a continuation of these historical trends. Such variations are common in Social Security disability hearings and often stem from changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of medical evidence you present. This pattern suggests a consistent approach to evaluating your eligibility requirements.
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.
Hearing with Judge Harper? See if a free benefits review fits your case.
Check My BenefitsAbout the San Antonio hearing office
The San Antonio Hearing Office serves a large population across Texas, managing a high volume of disability claims. With a bench of 6 judges, the office maintains an approval rate that reflects the regional caseload and local economic factors. When you appear here, be prepared for a formal administrative process focused on your medical documentation and vocational testimony. You can visit the San Antonio Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases to judges using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment is essentially random. Within the San Antonio Hearing Office, lifetime approval rates among the bench range from 39% to 52%. While these rates vary, the fundamental requirements for proving your disability under 20 CFR Part 404 remain constant. You can find more information on the San Antonio Hearing Office page.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.