Approval rates
The approval rates for Alexis Murdock reflect a significant volume of cases, providing a stable look at past decision patterns. When comparing the latest reporting period, this judge's 79% approval rate stands above the San Antonio office-wide average of 52%, the Texas state average of 56%, and the national average of 58%. These figures are based on 2,720 lifetime decisions. 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 Murdock'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, Alexis Murdock has maintained a consistent record of approvals. While the annual rate fluctuated between 58% and 79% over the last decade, the trend has shown an upward shift in recent years. The latest reporting period shows a 79% approval rate, a continuation of the higher approval levels seen since 2024. This pattern reflects a steady approach to evaluating your disability claim based on the evidence you present.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Murdock'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 a large population across Texas, managing a high volume of SSDI claims. With 23 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 52%. You can expect a formal administrative process focused on your medical and vocational evidence. You can see the San Antonio Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Alexis Murdock is essentially random. There are 23 judges on record at this office since 2016, 17 of whom reported in the latest period, with lifetime approval rates ranging from 18% to 70%. Because approval rates vary across this bench, understanding the office environment is helpful. For your preparation, the guidance remains consistent 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
Alexis Murdock's latest-period approval rate of 79% is 27 percentage points higher than the San Antonio office-wide latest-period average of 52%. While this judge sits at the higher end of the spectrum, every case is unique. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this judge.
Yes, the approval rate for Alexis Murdock has trended upward in recent years. After a period of fluctuation, the rate reached 79% in the latest reporting period, up from 66% in 2016. A qualified attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might relate to your specific disability claim.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a random workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any outcome.
An SSDI hearing is a non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears your testimony. Alexis Murdock will evaluate whether your impairments meet the strict criteria for disability benefits. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to meet the judge's expectations.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a guarantee of how they will rule on your specific case. While Alexis Murdock has a lifetime approval rate of 70%, your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you build a strong case that addresses the specific requirements of the law.