Approval rates
Understanding how your judge compares to their peers provides helpful context for your upcoming hearing. The 44% approval rate for James Satterwhite is based on 410 decisions on record since December 2017. This figure sits within the 40% to 79% range observed among the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Satterwhite. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 27, 2019. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Satterwhite isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over one period, leaves them out.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Satterwhite'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
James Satterwhite decided 410 cases between December 2017 and September 2019. His approval rate showed a slight upward trend, moving from 43% in 2018 to 45% in 2019. This steady pattern suggests a consistent approach to evaluating evidence over the period recorded.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Satterwhite'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
The NHC St Louis serves claimants in Missouri and the surrounding region. This office has a bench of 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this location. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on the specific medical documentation provided for your claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is NHC 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 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis, with approval rates ranging from 40% to 79%. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to focus on the strength of your medical evidence.
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
James Satterwhite has a 44% approval rate on record since 2017. This falls within the 40% to 79% range of the 15 judges whose most recent office on record is the NHC St Louis. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
His approval rate remained steady, recording 43% in 2018 and 45% in 2019 across 410 total decisions. An attorney can help you evaluate how your medical evidence aligns with these historical patterns.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, working with an attorney is the best way to ensure your case is prepared for any judge.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be asked about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence for the hearing.
The 44% approval rate on record for James Satterwhite is a statistical observation of past decisions, not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and the quality of your medical evidence is the most important factor. An attorney can help you determine if your claim is ready for a hearing.
