Approval rates
The approval rate for James Bentley is based on 1,125 decisions recorded between January 2016 and March 2018. This data provides a statistical look at past outcomes within the Social Security Administration hearing system. Because this judge is not in the most recent SSA file, no current 12-month comparison is available. These figures reflect historical patterns rather than current office trends.
Judge Bentley is not in SSA's latest disposition file, so there is no 12-month figure. The most recent period with decisions on record is March 30, 2018. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Judge Bentley isn't in SSA's latest disposition file, so the judge comparison tool, which compares active judges over the same 12 months, leaves them out.
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
James Bentley's approval rate fluctuated across the period from 2016 through 2018. The record shows 45% approval in 2016, 51% in 2017, and 44% in 2018. These 1,125 decisions represent the total volume on record during this window. The annual data indicates that the approval rate moved through a peak in 2017 before returning to a level similar to the start of the record.
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.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Mcalester
SSA assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 3 judges whose most recent office on record is the Mcalester Hearing Office. Because these judges are not in the most recent SSA file, there is no current range of approval rates to report for the office bench. Your preparation remains consistent regardless of which judge is assigned to your case.
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
James Bentley has an approval rate of 47% based on 1,125 decisions on record through 2018. Other judges at the Mcalester office have different historical records, but because these judges are not in the most recent SSA file, direct comparisons are limited. An attorney can help you understand how your specific case evidence aligns with the standards of this office.
The approval rate for James Bentley shows variation across the 2016 to 2018 period. It moved from 45% in 2016 to 51% in 2017, and then to 44% in 2018. An attorney can help you prepare for your hearing regardless of these historical fluctuations.
No, you cannot request a specific judge for your Social Security Disability Insurance hearing. The SSA uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, which ensures the process remains impartial. If you are concerned about your hearing, a free case review can help you prepare effectively.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. Your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and vocational testimony you provide to support your claim. An attorney can help you gather the necessary documentation to build the strongest possible case.
