Approval rates
Judge Robison maintains a lifetime approval rate of 59%, derived from 2,032 total decisions. When compared to the most recent reporting period, his performance remains competitive, sitting 5 points above the St Louis office average and 7 points above the state average. These statistics provide a window into historical decision-making, though they are not a guarantee of future outcomes. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for individual hearings.
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 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
Over 2 years on the bench, Judge Robison has demonstrated a consistent approach to disability adjudication. His approval rate moved from 62% in 2016 to 56% in 2017, reflecting a steady pattern of evaluation as his docket matured. This trend suggests a stable threshold for evidence, even as the volume of cases fluctuates. The data indicates that his decision-making remains well-aligned with broader regional and national standards.
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.
Hearing with Judge Robison? See if a free benefits review fits your case.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the St Louis hearing office
The St Louis Hearing Office serves a broad population across Missouri, managing a high volume of SSDI claims with a bench of 6 judges. The office currently reports an approval rate of 54%, which serves as a baseline for the region. You should expect a formal process focused on medical documentation and vocational testimony. You can visit the St Louis Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. Within the St Louis office, lifetime approval rates among the bench vary significantly, ranging from 41% to 70%. Because of this variance, understanding the general environment of the office is as important as knowing your specific judge. You can find more information on the St Louis Hearing Office page.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.