Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. While the 47% rate covers all decisions since 2016, recent performance shows a 57% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This latest-period figure sits 5 percentage points above the San Antonio office average of 52%. With 4,139 decisions on record, the data provides a clear view of historical patterns.
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 McKay'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 rate for Bernard J. McKay has shifted since 2016. After fluctuating in the middle years of the record, the rate reached 57% in the latest period. This latest-period performance is higher than the long-term average of 47%. The data reflects a pattern that has become more favorable in recent years, though the latest period represents a partial fiscal year.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge McKay'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
The San Antonio hearing office serves claimants across the region and maintains a bench of 23 judges. In the latest reporting period, the office-wide approval rate was 52%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the medical and vocational evidence presented in your file.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Antonio
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. At the San Antonio hearing office, there are 23 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 18% to 70% on their since-2016 records.
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
Bernard J. McKay has an approval rate of 47% since 2016, while the bench at the San Antonio hearing office ranges from 18% to 70%. In the latest reporting period, Bernard J. McKay approved 57% of cases, which is 5 percentage points higher than the office average of 52%. An attorney can help you understand how these local patterns might impact your specific claim.
Yes, the approval rate for Bernard J. McKay has trended upward in recent years. While the rate was 43% in 2016, it reached 57% in the latest reporting period. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your case, an attorney can help you prepare your evidence effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is best to focus on building a strong case with an attorney regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked about your daily limitations and work history. Having an attorney can help you prepare for the questions you will face during your hearing.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your disability. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible before you appear before Bernard J. McKay.
