Approval rates
The approval rate for Ilene B. Kramer is based on 3,600 decisions on record since 2016. This data provides a view of historical outcomes compared to the broader bench at the San Antonio hearing office, where individual judge approval rates range from 18% to 70%. These figures reflect past performance rather than a guarantee of future results.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Kramer. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 26, 2025. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Kramer'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
Since 2016, your approval rate with Ilene B. Kramer has fluctuated. After a period of 47% approval in 2019 and 2020, the trend has seen recent variability, including a 65% approval rate in 2025. With 3,600 total decisions on record, these shifts highlight how case mix and evidence quality can influence outcomes over time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Kramer'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
Ilene B. Kramer's most recent SSA record (September 2025) is at the San Antonio hearing office. This office features a bench of 23 judges with diverse approval patterns. You can expect a review of your medical evidence and vocational factors at this location.
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 the San Antonio hearing office, with individual approval rates ranging from 18% to 70%. Because of this variance, understanding the general environment of the office is helpful for your preparation.
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
Ilene B. Kramer has an approval rate of 53% across 3,600 decisions on record since 2016. This places her within the range of 18% to 70% observed among the 23 judges whose most recent office on record is San Antonio. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the specific evidentiary standards of this office.
Yes, the approval rate for Ilene B. Kramer has fluctuated over time, ranging from 47% in 2019 and 2020 to 65% in 2025. These yearly shifts are common in SSDI hearings and often depend on the specific types of cases assigned. An attorney can help you understand how these patterns might relate to your own medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the strength of your medical documentation is the best way to prepare for your hearing. An attorney can help you organize your records.
The 53% approval rate for Ilene B. Kramer is a historical statistic, not a prediction for your specific hearing. While it provides context on past decisions, your outcome depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you present. An attorney can help you organize your records to ensure your case is as strong as possible.
