Approval rates
Judge Bechtold’s approval rate is calculated based on 4,270 lifetime decisions rendered during a 3-year tenure. In the most recent reporting period, the judge recorded a 40% approval rate, which is 2 percentage points below the Stockton office average and 16 percentage points below the national average. These metrics provide a baseline for understanding historical decision-making, though aggregate rates do not predict outcomes for individual hearings.
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 Bechtold'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
Over the past 3 years, Judge Bechtold’s approval rate has fluctuated, starting at 41% in 2023, rising to 45% in 2024, and adjusting to 39% in 2025. With 4,270 total decisions, the judge has established a consistent pattern of review. The latest period reflects a shift in outcomes compared to the lifetime average, which may be influenced by changes in case complexity or the specific medical evidence presented. You can find more information on the Stockton Hearing Office page.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bechtold'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.
Hearing with Judge Bechtold? Free, confidential — see if you qualify for SSDI.
Free Benefits ReviewAbout the Stockton hearing office
The Stockton Hearing Office serves a broad population across California, managing a high volume of disability claims. The office currently maintains an average approval rate of 44%, reflecting the regional landscape of SSDI adjudication. You can expect a rigorous review process that prioritizes objective medical findings. You can see the Stockton Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning your assignment to Judge Bechtold is random. Within the Stockton office, lifetime approval rates among the 6 ALJs range from 30% to 61%. Because the judge you draw can vary, focusing on the quality of your medical documentation is essential for your preparation.
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.