Approval rates
Comparing a judge's approval rate to broader benchmarks provides context for how cases are decided at the NHC St Louis Hearing Office. While Judge Steger maintains a 44% lifetime approval rate, local and national averages fluctuate based on case complexity and regional trends. These figures are derived from 16,633 lifetime decisions, offering a statistically significant look at past patterns. 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 Steger'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 9 years on the bench, Judge Steger has maintained a consistent approach to disability claims. His yearly approval rates have fluctuated within a moderate range, showing a 47% approval rate in 2025. This trend suggests a steady judicial philosophy that has adapted to changing case volumes. The latest period reflects a continuation of this stable pattern, providing a reliable baseline for understanding how your claim may be evaluated.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Steger'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 Steger? See if a free benefits review fits your case.
Check My BenefitsAbout the Nhc St Louis hearing office
The NHC St Louis Hearing Office serves you and other claimants across Missouri and the surrounding region. As one of the primary hubs for disability adjudication in the area, it manages a high volume of cases with a bench of 6 judges. The office currently reports an approval rate of 46%, which serves as a local benchmark for your hearing. You can see the NHC 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 your assignment to a specific judge is essentially random. Within the NHC St Louis Hearing Office, lifetime approval rates among the bench range from 41% to 70%. Because you cannot choose your judge, focusing on the quality of your medical evidence is the most effective way to prepare. You can view the full roster of judges at the NHC 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.