Approval rates
The approval rates for Brent C. Bedwell are calculated from 4,071 decisions on record since 2016. When comparing these figures, look at consistent timeframes, such as his performance against the 27% to 56% range of his peers at the Milwaukee office. The latest reporting period shows a 54% approval rate, which can be measured against the office's latest-period rate of 51%. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
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 Bedwell'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, your approval rate for Brent C. Bedwell has shown a varied trend, moving from 49% in 2016 to 54% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. The data reflects fluctuations in annual outcomes, with a recent shift in the latest reporting period compared to the overall average. This pattern suggests that while he maintains a consistent presence, the latest period reflects a continuation of recent activity levels. These yearly changes may reflect shifts in case complexity or evidence quality.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bedwell'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 Milwaukee hearing office
The Milwaukee hearing office serves you across Wisconsin and is a hub for regional disability hearings. This office features a bench of 13 judges whose most recent office on record is this location, with an office-wide latest-period approval rate of 51%. You can expect a standard hearing process focused on your medical evidence and vocational testimony.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Milwaukee
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Milwaukee office, and 7 of them decided cases here in SSA's latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench range from 27% to 56% on their since-2016 records. 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
Brent C. Bedwell has an approval rate of 48% on record since 2016. This sits within the 27% to 56% range of the 13 judges whose most recent office on record is the Milwaukee office. An attorney can help you understand how to present your evidence effectively for this specific bench.
The approval rate for Brent C. Bedwell has fluctuated over the years, starting at 49% in 2016 and reaching 54% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. These yearly changes are common and often reflect the specific mix of cases a judge reviews. A qualified attorney can help you prepare for the nuances of your hearing.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot choose your judge, it is important to be prepared for any outcome with the help of an experienced attorney.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where an ALJ reviews your medical records and testimony. You may be questioned by the judge or a vocational expert about your ability to perform work. An attorney can help you prepare for this process and ensure your case is presented clearly.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While Brent C. Bedwell has a 48% approval rate on record since 2016, your case's success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths.
