Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. Robert S. Robison's 57% approval rate on record since 2016 is evaluated against the broader bench at the St Louis office, where peer judges range from 30% to 78% over the same period. This data provides a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached disability claims.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Robison. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 29, 2017. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Robison'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 Robert S. Robison remained steady at 57% throughout the 2016 and 2017 reporting window. With 323 total decisions on record since 2016, this consistent pattern suggests a stable approach to case evaluation during that period. Because the data window is limited to these years, the trend reflects a steady consistency in how evidence was weighed.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Robison'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
Robert S. Robison's most recent office on record is the St Louis hearing office, which serves claimants across Missouri. This office features a bench of 20 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence remains the primary driver of the outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is St Louis
The Social Security Administration uses 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 office, with approval rates ranging from 30% to 78% on their since-2016 records. Because each judge brings a unique perspective to the hearing room, understanding the office-wide bench is helpful for context.
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 S. Robison's 57% approval rate on record since 2016 sits within the 30% to 78% range established by the 20 judges whose most recent office on record is St Louis. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
The approval rate for Robert S. Robison remained steady at 57% across both 2016 and 2017. This consistency indicates a stable pattern of decision-making during the period on record. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might impact your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare a strong case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You will have the opportunity to explain how your condition prevents you from working. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your medical records to ensure the judge has the full picture.
Approval rates are statistical summaries of past decisions and do not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and how well it meets the SSA's disability criteria. An attorney can help you evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your evidence before you appear before the judge.
