Approval rates
Comparing approval rates requires looking at consistent data windows. The 71% approval rate for William Wenzel reflects all decisions on record since 2016, which we measure against the 41% to 82% range of other judges whose most recent office on record is also Chicago. This comparison provides a view of the local bench's decision-making history. Aggregate rates describe past decisions, not predictions for your individual hearing.
SSA has not published a latest-period approval, fully favorable or denial breakdown for Judge Wenzel. The most recent period with decisions on record is September 30, 2022. Those rows are left out rather than estimated.
Approval rate over time
Year-over-year approval rate across Judge Wenzel'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, William Wenzel has maintained a consistent approval pattern across 1,244 decisions. The yearly trend shows fluctuations, with approval rates moving from 65% in 2016 to 71% in 2017, 71% in 2018, 79% in 2019, 69% in 2020, 67% in 2021, and 74% in 2022. These shifts often reflect 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 Wenzel'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 Chicago hearing office
William Wenzel's most recent office on record is the Chicago hearing office, with decisions there through September 2022. This office serves the Illinois region and maintains a bench of 14 judges. You can expect a standard hearing process where the thoroughness of your medical documentation remains the primary factor in a decision.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Chicago
The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, meaning the judge you draw is essentially random. There are 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Chicago. Approval rates across this bench vary significantly, ranging from 41% to 82%. 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
William Wenzel's 71% approval rate since 2016 sits within the 41% to 82% range observed among the 14 judges whose most recent office on record is Chicago. Because every case is unique, an attorney can help you evaluate how your specific medical evidence aligns with this judge's history.
The approval rate for William Wenzel has shown variation over time, starting at 65% in 2016 and reaching 74% by 2022. These year-to-year changes are common and often depend on the specific mix of cases assigned to the judge. An attorney can help you prepare your case regardless of these historical trends.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a random workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases to ensure efficiency. Since you cannot choose your judge, working with an attorney can help you prepare for the hearing process regardless of who is assigned.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where a judge reviews your medical records and hears testimony. You will likely be asked about your work history, daily limitations, and symptoms. An attorney can help you organize your evidence and prepare your testimony to ensure your case is presented clearly.
A judge's approval rate is a summary of past decisions and does not predict the outcome of your specific hearing. While William Wenzel has approved 71% of cases since 2016, your success depends on the strength of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you identify gaps in your file and strengthen your claim before your hearing date.
