Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at data from the same period to ensure accuracy. While James L. Bentley has an approval rate of 47% on record since 2026, the Tulsa OHO bench shows a broad range of outcomes from 37% to 81%. In the latest reporting period, the 47% approval rate sits 16 points below the office average of 63%. These figures reflect historical trends rather than specific outcomes for your 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 Bentley'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
The 344 decisions on record since 2026 provide a view into recent activity. During the 2026 fiscal year to date, the approval rate has remained at 47%. This pattern reflects a consistent approach to the evidence presented in your disability claim. Because this data covers a partial year, it serves as a snapshot rather than a long-term trend.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Bentley'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 Tulsa OHO hearing office
The Tulsa OHO is the most recent office on record for James L. Bentley, with the last recorded decision there in July 2026. This office serves you and other claimants across the region and maintains a bench of 15 judges. The office-wide approval rate in the latest period was 63%, which provides context for the local hearing environment.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Tulsa OHO
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 15 judges whose most recent office on record is this one, and 6 of them decided cases here in the latest file from July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 37% to 81%.
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
In the latest reporting period, the 47% approval rate is 16 points lower than the 63% average for the Tulsa OHO. Since every case is unique, an attorney can help you understand how to present your medical evidence effectively for this specific judge.
The data shows an approval rate of 47% across 344 decisions on record since 2026. This rate has remained steady during the current fiscal year. If you are concerned about your hearing, an attorney can help you prepare.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because assignment is random, it is important to be prepared for any judge. An attorney can help you prepare for this process.
A hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. Having a qualified attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare for the questions you may face.
An approval rate is a probability cloud based on past decisions, not a prediction for your specific hearing. Your outcome depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence and how well your limitations are documented. An attorney can help you build a stronger case.
