Who decides cases at this office
The panel of 22 judges at this office exhibits a wide spread in outcomes, with allowance rates ranging from 20% to 84%. Because cases are assigned randomly, you cannot choose your judge, and each weighs evidence differently. This variance makes it essential to prepare a file that addresses potential gaps regardless of which judge presides over your session.
| Rank | Judge | Approval Rate | Total Decisions | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexis Murdock | 69% | 18,679 | |
| 2 | Peter F. Gazda | 66% | 27,934 | |
| 3 | Dwight D. Wilkerson | 60% | 22,909 | |
| 4 | Lissette C. Perez | 58% | 16,148 | |
| 5 | Ilene B. Kramer | 53% | 26,924 | |
| 6 | Don A. Harper | 52% | 16,214 | |
| 7 | Melinda W. Kirkpatrick | 51% | 29,852 | |
| 8 | David R. Wurm | 49% | 30,406 | |
| 9 | Matthew Allen | 48% | 33,915 | |
| 10 | Stanley M. Schwartz | 47% | 8,249 | |
| 11 | Bernard J. McKay | 45% | 27,414 | |
| 12 | Robert M. McPhail | 44% | 24,658 | |
| 13 | Charles L. Brower | 43% | 29,763 | |
| 14 | Janice L. Holmes | 42% | 25,189 | |
| 15 | Penny Wilkov | 41% | 23,399 | |
| 16 | Ben Barnett | 39% | 25,933 | |
| 17 | Katherine W. Brown | 39% | 28,564 | |
| 18 | Barbara C. Marquardt | 34% | 2,604 | |
| 19 | Marc Jones | 32% | 15,136 | |
| 20 | Mark M. Swayze | 27% | 26,697 | |
| 21 | Barbara Powell | 23% | 13,144 | |
| 22 | Gordan Momcilovic | 20% | 27,412 | |
| 23 | Susan Whittington | 20% | 12,820 | |
| 24 | Jonathan P. Blucher | 18% | 11,691 |
Heading to an ALJ hearing? Get a free case review to prepare for your upcoming hearing.
Free Benefits ReviewHow long you'll wait
At San Antonio, the average wait from hearing request to written decision is 7 months— versus a national average of 8 months. Here's how it's tracked month by month over the past 16 months.
Your odds change dramatically with a lawyer
SSDI hearing approval rates — represented vs. on your own
Source: U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO-18-37. The 3× gap is a population-wide average across all judges; individual outcomes vary.
Going to your hearing
Hearings in San Antonio move slightly faster than the national average, so prioritize submitting updated medical records immediately. You will typically spend time before an ALJ, where a vocational expert will testify about jobs available for your specific limitations. Bring your photo ID, a current list of medications including side effects, and a daily activity log to clarify how your condition impacts your work capacity. Because the judge panel shows significant variation in allowance rates, your file must be complete before the evidence-submission deadline. A decision will arrive by mail several weeks after the hearing concludes.
When a panel's allowance rates span over 60 points, your file must be strong enough that no judge can dismiss it on weak documentation. An attorney who understands the San Antonio panel can help you anticipate the questions a vocational expert will ask and ensure your medical evidence is properly organized. Use the 7-month wait time to pressure-test your case before your hearing date arrives.
Field offices that route cases here
If your hearing is at San Antonio, your case originated at one of the SSA field offices below — the local intake counter where you (or a representative) filed the initial application. Field offices don't decide hearings, but they hold your file, issue benefit-payment notices, and field the day-to-day questions during your wait.