Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent timeframes. While Dwight D. Wilkerson maintains a 60% approval rate since 2016, his latest-period performance shows a 64% approval rate, which sits 12 percentage points above the San Antonio office average of 52%. These figures are derived from a docket of 3,311 decisions, providing a view of past trends.
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 Wilkerson'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 January 2016, Dwight D. Wilkerson has maintained a steady approval pattern. While yearly rates have fluctuated between 56% and 66%, the overall volume of 3,311 decisions indicates a consistent approach to case evaluation. The latest reporting period shows an approval rate of 64%, which is slightly higher than his long-term average.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wilkerson'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 is the most recent office on record for Dwight D. Wilkerson, with his last recorded decision there in July 2026. There are 23 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and the office maintains an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 52%.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is San Antonio
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment is essentially random. At the San Antonio office, there are 23 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, with 17 of them having decided cases in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates among this bench range from 18% to 70% since 2016.
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
In the latest reporting period, Dwight D. Wilkerson's 64% approval rate is 12 percentage points higher than the San Antonio office average of 52%. An attorney can help you understand how these local trends might affect your specific case.
His approval rate has remained relatively steady, with yearly figures ranging from 56% to 66% since 2016. The most recent data shows a 64% approval rate, which is consistent with his long-term pattern. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing.
No. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. You cannot choose your judge, but a qualified attorney can help you prepare for any judge assigned to your hearing.
A hearing typically involves testimony from you and potentially a vocational or medical expert. The judge will review your medical records and ask questions about your ability to perform work-related tasks. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and organize your evidence.
The 60% approval rate for Dwight D. Wilkerson is a reflection of past decisions and not a guarantee of your outcome. Your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well you document your limitations. An attorney can help you ensure your case is as strong as possible.
