Approval rates
The data shows how Brent C. Bedwell compares to his peers at the Milwaukee hearing office. While his lifetime approval rate is 48%, his most recent reporting period shows a 54% approval rate, which sits 3 percentage points above the office-wide latest-period average of 51%. These figures are based on a substantial docket of 4,071 lifetime decisions, providing a stable view of his decision-making history. 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, the approval rate for Brent C. Bedwell has fluctuated. After a period of relative stability between 2020 and 2022, the trend has seen recent movement, culminating in a 54% approval rate in the latest reporting period. This recent figure represents a shift compared to his long-term average. The data suggests that while his baseline is established, recent case outcomes have trended upward.
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 throughout Wisconsin, operating as a key hub for regional disability adjudications. The office maintains a diverse bench of judges with varying approval patterns, reflecting the complex nature of the cases heard. You can expect a formal process focused on medical evidence and vocational testimony. You can see the Milwaukee Hearing Office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges at this hearing office
The Milwaukee hearing office utilizes a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning your assignment to Brent C. Bedwell is essentially random. There are 13 judges on record at this office since 2016, with 7 judges currently reporting in the latest SSA data. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, spanning from 27% to 56% on a lifetime basis.
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 maintains a lifetime approval rate of 48%. Within the Milwaukee hearing office, lifetime approval rates for all judges on record range from 27% to 56%. An attorney can help you understand how your specific medical evidence aligns with the standards applied at this office.
Yes, the approval rate for Brent C. Bedwell has shown variation since 2016. While his lifetime rate is 48%, his most recent period saw an approval rate of 54%. An attorney can help you evaluate how these trends might impact your hearing strategy.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases randomly to ensure efficiency. Regardless of your assigned judge, an attorney can help you prepare your case for the hearing.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You may be questioned about your work history and daily limitations. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific questions Brent C. Bedwell may ask.
A judge's approval rate 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 disability. An attorney can help you gather the necessary evidence to present the strongest possible case.