Approval rates
The approval rates for Robert V. Luetkenhaus are measured against the St Louis hearing office, where judges range from 30% to 78% in lifetime approvals. In the most recent reporting period, his 37% approval rate compares to a 51% office-wide average. These figures rely on a substantial docket of 3,106 lifetime decisions, providing a stable view of his record. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 Luetkenhaus'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, the approval record for Robert V. Luetkenhaus has shown a steady pattern, with annual rates fluctuating between 30% and 53%. After a period of lower approval activity in 2018, the rate has stabilized in recent years, holding at 37% in 2026. This consistency suggests that his approach to evidence and testimony remains predictable. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Luetkenhaus'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 St Louis hearing office
The St Louis hearing office serves claimants throughout Missouri, managing a diverse caseload of disability applications. The office bench consists of 24 judges on record, with a latest-period approval rate of 51%. You can expect a formal process focused on medical documentation and vocational testimony. For more information, see the St Louis hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The St Louis hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Robert V. Luetkenhaus is essentially random. There are 24 judges on record at this office since 2016, 17 of whom reported in the latest SSA period. With office-wide lifetime approval rates ranging from 30% to 78%, the judge you draw can vary significantly. 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
Robert V. Luetkenhaus has a lifetime approval rate of 35%, which sits within the 30% to 78% range seen across the 24 judges at the St Louis office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to best meet the requirements of this specific bench.
The approval rate for Robert V. Luetkenhaus has remained relatively steady in recent years, recording 37% in 2026. While his yearly performance has shifted since 2016, the data indicates a consistent approach to case evaluation. An attorney can help you prepare your case to address the specific standards of this judge.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing process.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert regarding your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your evidence is organized.