Approval rates
Comparing a judge's performance requires looking at consistent data windows. We evaluate David G. Buell's 53% approval rate since 2016 against the broader bench at the Omaha office, where individual rates vary from 29% to 83%. In the most recent reporting period, David G. Buell maintained a 61% approval rate, which sits 12 percentage points above the Omaha office average of 49%. These figures are based on a docket of 4,056 decisions. 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 Buell'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 January 2016, David G. Buell has issued 4,056 decisions. The approval trend shows fluctuation, with rates at 54% in 2016, 46% in 2017, 52% in 2018, 54% in 2019, 47% in 2020, 53% in 2021, 53% in 2022, 56% in 2023, 52% in 2024, 60% in 2025, and 61% in the partial 2026 fiscal year. This recent performance indicates a shift toward a higher approval frequency compared to the long-term average. Such patterns can stem from changes in the complexity of cases or the quality of medical evidence presented.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Buell'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 Omaha hearing office
The Omaha hearing office serves you across Nebraska and the surrounding region. As of the most recent record in July 2026, the office maintains an approval rate of 49% for the latest reporting period. With a bench of 11 judges, the office processes a high volume of disability claims where thorough medical documentation is essential for a favorable outcome.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Omaha
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 11 judges whose most recent office on record is the Omaha office, 6 of whom decided cases in the latest file through July 2026. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 29% to 83% since 2016. 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
David G. Buell has an approval rate of 53% since 2016. Among the 11 judges whose most recent office on record is Omaha, approval rates range from 29% to 83%. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific requirements of this hearing office.
Yes, the rate has fluctuated over time. While his long-term average since 2016 is 53%, his approval rate in the most recent reporting period reached 61%. An attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot choose your judge. The Social Security Administration assigns cases using a workload-balancing algorithm to ensure efficiency. Because you cannot select your judge, it is important to have an attorney who can help you prepare for any assigned judge.
An approval rate is a statistical summary of past decisions, not a guarantee of your outcome. While David G. Buell's 53% rate provides context, your success depends primarily on the medical evidence and testimony you provide. An attorney can help you build a case that meets the specific criteria required for approval.
