Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data sets. Mark M. Swayze maintains a 27% lifetime approval rate, which sits within the 18% to 70% range observed across the San Antonio bench. In the most recent reporting period, his 34% approval rate is compared against the office-wide 52% rate to provide context on current trends. These figures rely on a sample of 3,781 lifetime decisions. 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 Swayze'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 record for Mark M. Swayze spans from 2016 to 2026, covering 3,781 total decisions. His approval rate has fluctuated over this period. While his lifetime average is 27%, the most recent data shows a 34% approval rate. This latest period reflects a departure from the lower rates seen between 2022 and 2023, suggesting a change in the recent flow of cases.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Swayze'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 San Antonio hearing office
The San Antonio hearing office serves you throughout the region, managing a high volume of disability cases. With 23 judges on record, the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 52%. You can expect a formal process where evidence quality is the primary driver of the outcome. You can see the /disability-benefits/hearing-offices/san-antonio-TX Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to Mark M. Swayze is essentially random. There are 23 judges on record at this office since 2016, 17 of whom reported in the latest period. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 18% to 70% on lifetime records. You can review the office's overall performance to understand the local environment.
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
Mark M. Swayze has a 27% lifetime approval rate, which falls within the 18% to 70% range of all judges at the San Antonio hearing office. Because each judge has a unique approach to evidence, an attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this bench.
Yes, the data shows variation in his approval patterns since 2016. While his lifetime rate is 27%, his most recent reporting period shows a 34% approval rate, indicating a shift in recent outcomes. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure impartiality. Regardless of your assignment, an attorney can help you prepare your case for a hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and hears your testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history and how your impairments limit your daily activities. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and organize your medical records.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and not a prediction for your specific hearing. While Mark M. Swayze has a 27% lifetime approval rate, the outcome of your case depends primarily on the medical evidence you provide. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.