Approval rates
When reviewing the performance of Susan Whittington, it is helpful to compare her lifetime record against the broader bench at the San Antonio hearing office. While the office-wide lifetime approval-rate range spans from 18% to 70%, this judge's 20% lifetime approval rate provides a specific data point for your case preparation. These figures are derived from 1,672 lifetime decisions on record since 2016. 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 Whittington. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 24, 2021. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Whittington'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 decision pattern for Susan Whittington shows a steady trend over the recorded period from 2016 to 2021. After an initial approval rate of 8% in 2016, the numbers fluctuated before reaching 22% in 2021. With 1,672 lifetime decisions on record, the data reflects a consistent approach to evaluating your disability claim. This pattern suggests that the judge maintains a stable methodology when reviewing evidence.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Whittington'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, maintaining a bench of 23 judges on record since 2016. As part of the Texas disability adjudication system, this office handles a high volume of cases where your evidence quality is the primary factor in a favorable outcome. You can see the San Antonio Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The SSA assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 23 judges on record at this office since 2016, 17 of whom reported in the latest period, with lifetime approval rates ranging from 18% to 70%. Because of this variance, understanding the local bench is a standard part of your hearing preparation.
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
Whittington has a lifetime approval rate of 20% based on 1,672 decisions. This sits within the broader San Antonio office range of 18% to 70%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this judge's courtroom.
The approval rate for Whittington has shown a steady pattern, moving from 8% in 2016 to 22% in 2021. While these trends provide context, they do not dictate the outcome of your specific hearing. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records 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 your testimony and organize your medical evidence.
A judge's approval rate is a reflection of past decisions and not a prediction of your specific outcome. Your case's success depends primarily on the strength of your medical evidence and your ability to prove disability under SSA guidelines. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.