Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. The 43% approval rate for Sharon L. Steckler reflects her decisions on record since 2016, which can be evaluated against the 21% to 76% range observed among the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas Downtown hearing office. These figures provide a statistical baseline for understanding how different judges have historically approached disability claims. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Steckler. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2016. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Steckler'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 Sharon L. Steckler is based on 58 decisions on record since January 2016. During this period, the data shows an approval rate of 43%. Because this record is limited to the 2016 window, it provides a specific snapshot of past activity. This pattern helps establish the historical context of the judge's docket during that time.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Steckler'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 Dallas Downtown hearing office
Sharon L. Steckler's most recent office on record is the Dallas Downtown hearing office, with decisions there through September 2016. This office serves you in the Texas region and maintains a bench of 18 judges whose most recent records are tied to this location. You can expect a formal hearing process designed to evaluate the medical evidence supporting your disability claim.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Dallas Downtown
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas Downtown hearing office, with individual approval rates ranging from 21% to 76% since 2016. Because of this variance, understanding the broader bench is helpful for your research. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same 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
Sharon L. Steckler has an approval rate of 43% based on 58 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 21% to 76% range of approval rates for the 18 judges whose most recent office on record is the Dallas Downtown hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of your hearing.
The data for Sharon L. Steckler covers the period from January 2016 to September 2016, during which she maintained a 43% approval rate across 58 decisions. This reflects a steady pattern for the duration of the available record. A qualified attorney can help you understand how your case evidence aligns with these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your SSDI hearing. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to judges, ensuring the process remains impartial. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of which judge is assigned to your hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical evidence and testimony. You will have the opportunity to explain how your condition prevents you from working. Working with an attorney can help you organize your medical records and prepare for the questions you may face.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Sharon L. Steckler approved 43% of cases on record since 2016, every case is unique and depends on the quality of evidence you provide. An attorney can help you build a strong case to present to the judge.
