Approval rates
The approval rate for Koren Mueller is based on 2,572 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a statistical baseline when compared to the 30% to 78% range observed among the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the St Louis hearing office. These data points offer context regarding historical decision patterns within the office.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Mueller. 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 Mueller'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 for Koren Mueller has shown fluctuations. After starting at 26% in 2016, the rate reached 45% in 2024 before settling at 42% in 2025. This trend indicates a shift in decision outcomes over the last decade across the 2,572 total decisions on record.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Mueller'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
Koren Mueller's most recent office on record is the St Louis hearing office, which serves you in Missouri. With a bench of 20 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, you can expect a standard administrative process governed by federal regulations.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is St Louis
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the St Louis hearing office. Approval rates across this bench range from 30% to 78% 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
Koren Mueller has an approval rate of 34% across 2,572 decisions on record since 2016. This places the judge within the 30% to 78% range of approval rates for the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is the St Louis hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
Yes, the approval rate for Koren Mueller has varied over time, ranging from a low of 26% in 2016 to a high of 45% in 2024. These fluctuations are based on 2,572 decisions on record since 2016. Understanding these trends is one part of building a strong case, and an attorney can help you evaluate your options.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on the quality of your medical evidence with the help of a qualified attorney.
The 34% approval rate for Koren Mueller represents a historical pattern of decisions since 2016, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Every case is unique, and the strength of your medical documentation is the primary factor in a favorable outcome. An attorney can help you prepare your case to meet the necessary evidentiary standards.
