Approval rates
Evaluating a judge's record requires looking at the full scope of their activity rather than isolated outcomes. Karen Winn's 56% lifetime approval rate sits within the broader 39% to 84% range observed across the Creve Coeur bench. Because this data spans 1,678 decisions, it provides a reliable look at how the judge has handled cases over the last several years. 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 Winn. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Winn'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
Karen Winn's approval record has fluctuated within a moderate range since 2016. After an initial 63% approval rate in 2017, the figures shifted to a lower baseline, hovering between 53% and 60% in subsequent years. This pattern suggests a consistent approach to evaluating evidence. These trends provide insight into how the judge processes claims, though your individual case outcome always depends on the strength of your medical evidence.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Winn'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.
Reading this because a claim was denied? Decode the letter — what the sentence means, what to file, and by when.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning you cannot choose your judge. There are 7 judges on record at this office since 2016, and their lifetime approval rates vary significantly, ranging from 39% to 84%. This variance highlights why understanding the specific tendencies of the local bench is helpful. For preparation purposes, the guidance is the same regardless of which judge you are assigned.
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
Karen Winn's 56% lifetime approval rate falls in the middle of the 39% to 84% range seen among the 7 judges at the Creve Coeur office. While some peers have higher or lower rates, every case is unique. An attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence to best fit the expectations of this specific judge.
The approval rate for Karen Winn has remained relatively steady since 2016, generally trending between 53% and 60% after an initial year of 63%. This consistency indicates a stable approach to case evaluation. If you are concerned about how these trends affect your claim, an attorney can help you prepare a strategy tailored to your specific medical needs.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random assignment algorithm to distribute cases based on current workload and availability. Since you cannot control your judge assignment, focusing on the quality of your medical records is the best way to prepare.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical evidence and may hear testimony from you or a vocational expert. The goal is to determine if your condition meets the criteria for disability benefits. An attorney can help you prepare for these questions and ensure your testimony is clear and accurate.
A judge's approval rate is a statistical observation of past decisions and not a guarantee of your specific outcome. While Karen Winn has approved 56% of cases, your result will depend on your specific medical documentation and how it aligns with SSA regulations. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare for the hearing.