Approval rates
The approval rate for Susan Whittington is based on 1,672 decisions on record since 2016. This figure provides a statistical baseline when compared to the 18% to 70% range seen among the 23 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Antonio hearing office. Because SSA assigns cases randomly, these aggregate figures help you understand the broader environment of your 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
Since 2016, the approval rate for Susan Whittington has varied, starting at 8% and reaching a peak of 25% in 2018 before settling at 22% in 2021. With 1,672 total decisions on record, the data reflects a period of activity that concluded in September 2021. This trend shows how your judge's outcomes have shifted over the five-year window.
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 manages a significant volume of SSDI hearings. With 23 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, the office maintains a formal process where the quality of your medical evidence is the primary factor in the outcome. You can see the San Antonio hearing office page for the full roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Antonio
SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your judge is assigned randomly. There are 23 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Antonio hearing office, with approval rates ranging from 18% to 70% on their since-2016 records. While the specific judge matters, the core requirements for proving disability remain consistent across the bench.
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
Susan Whittington has an approval rate of 20% on her 1,672 decisions on record since 2016. This sits within the 18% to 70% range observed among the 23 judges whose most recent office on record is the San Antonio hearing office. An attorney can help you prepare your case for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Susan Whittington fluctuated between 8% and 25% across the 1,672 decisions on record from 2016 to 2021. These variations reflect past decision-making patterns. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific medical evidence.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency, making the assignment process random. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of which judge is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony about your limitations. You may be asked questions by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and organize your evidence.
The 20% approval rate for Susan Whittington is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your case's success depends primarily on the strength and clarity of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
