Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at the same timeframes to ensure accuracy. While Kathryn Preston has a 47% approval rate since 2017, her latest-period approval rate is 42%, which is 3 points below the NHC St Louis office average of 45%. These figures are derived from a docket of 2,576 decisions on record, providing a view of past trends. These 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 Preston'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 December 2017, Kathryn Preston has maintained a pattern of decisions across 2,576 cases on record. Her yearly approval rates have fluctuated, showing a peak of 55% in 2018 and a rate of 43% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This recent data reflects a shift compared to her overall average, which may be influenced by changes in the types of cases assigned to her docket.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Preston'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 NHC St Louis hearing office
Kathryn Preston's most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis, with decisions there through July 2026. This office serves the Missouri region and maintains a bench of 15 judges who handle disability claims. The office-wide latest approval rate is 45%, and you can expect a review of your medical evidence. You can see the NHC St Louis Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC St Louis
The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is random. At the NHC St Louis office, there are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among this bench range from 40% to 79% on their records since 2016. Your preparation remains the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
Judges with similar approval rates
These active judges' approval rates in SSA's latest period (October 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026) are closest to Judge Preston's 42%. All five last decided cases in Missouri.
- 42% Approval rate, latest period Janice E. Barnes-Williams
- 43% Approval rate, latest period Christina Young Mein
- 41% Approval rate, latest period Mark A. Clayton
- 45% Approval rate, latest period Michael Comisky
- 37% Approval rate, latest period Robert V. Luetkenhaus
Rates within 5 points of each other are hard to tell apart at a typical caseload, so treat these as judges with comparable records, not a ranking. See Judge Preston and the three closest side by side →
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
Kathryn Preston's 47% approval rate on record since 2017 sits within the 40% to 79% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the expectations of this bench.
Her approval rate has seen yearly fluctuations, ranging from 55% in 2018 to 43% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. While these shifts occur, they represent past patterns rather than a guaranteed outcome for your hearing. A qualified attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these trends.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures that assignments remain random. Your focus should be on building a strong case with the help of an attorney.
A hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. Having an attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions you might face.
An approval rate is a probability based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Kathryn Preston's 47% rate is one data point, but the quality of your medical evidence and your testimony are the primary factors in your case. An attorney can help you ensure your evidence is presented effectively.
