Approval rates
To understand how Brian W. Wood compares to the broader bench, you can look at approval rates across the same reporting periods. While the judge maintains a 64% approval rate since 2016, the office's bench shows a range of outcomes from 33% to 72%. In the most recent reporting period, the judge's 66% approval rate sits 4 points below the office average of 70%, but 12 points above the state average of 54%.
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 Wood'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, Brian W. Wood has presided over 3,782 decisions. The yearly approval trend shows fluctuation, peaking at 73% in 2025 before settling to 65% in the most recent partial fiscal year. This recent figure remains consistent with the judge's long-term average on record. The latest period reflects a continuation of this steady pattern, indicating that the judge's approach to evidence and case requirements has remained stable.
Preparing for an SSDI hearing
The guidance below applies to any SSDI hearing, not specifically to Judge Wood'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 Seven Fields hearing office
Brian W. Wood's most recent office on record is the Seven Fields hearing office. This office maintains a latest-period approval rate of 70%. You can see the Seven Fields hearing office page for the full ALJ roster.
Other judges whose most recent office on record is Seven Fields
The Social Security Administration assigns cases through a workload-balancing algorithm, meaning the judge you are assigned is essentially random. There are 10 judges whose most recent office on record is this one. Approval rates among this group vary significantly, ranging from 33% to 72% on their records since 2016.
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
Brian W. Wood has a 64% approval rate since 2016. This places the judge within the 33% to 72% range observed among the 10 judges whose most recent office on record is Seven Fields. An attorney can help you prepare for the specific expectations of this bench.
The approval rate for Brian W. Wood has shown a steady trend, starting at 60% in 2016 and reaching 65% in the most recent partial year. While rates fluctuate annually, the judge's overall pattern remains consistent. A qualified attorney can help you understand how these trends might relate to your specific case.
No, you cannot request a specific judge. The Social Security Administration uses a workload-balancing algorithm to assign cases, making the assignment process random. Regardless of the judge assigned, an attorney can help you build a strong case.
An SSDI hearing is a formal but non-adversarial proceeding where the judge reviews your medical records and testimony. You will likely answer questions about your daily limitations and work history. An attorney can help you prepare your testimony and ensure your evidence is organized for the hearing.
The 64% approval rate for Brian W. Wood reflects past decisions and is not a prediction of your outcome. Every case is unique, and your success depends primarily on the quality of your medical evidence. An attorney can help you evaluate your case strengths and prepare accordingly.
