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Updated June 2026 · SSA Public
Administrative Law Judge
Bestul, Joseph
COVINGTON GA Trending up
-2.6 pts vs national average
0.0%lifetime approval
vs baselines
This judge55.2%
COVINGTON GA65.0%
National avg57.8%
Total decisions
299
Fully favorable
124
41.5%
Partially favorable
41
13.7%
Denials
134
44.8%
Total dispositions
353
Dismissals
54
15.3%
Awards
165
3-year trend
Rising
FY2025 decision breakdown
Fully fav.
Partial
Denied
Fully fav. 41.5%Partially fav. 13.7%Denied 44.8%
Approval rate history
FY2017
83.6%146 dec
FY2018
51.1%423 dec
FY2019
57.9%121 dec
FY2019
47.1%348 dec
FY2020
46.2%346 dec
FY2021
43.1%350 dec
FY2022
43.5%271 dec
FY2023
50.9%228 dec
FY2024
53.5%327 dec
Above national Below national National avg
Other ALJs at COVINGTON GA (7)
Next step
Estimate approval odds
See SSA historical base rates for a claim by state, condition, age, and stage — then plan around the hearing-stage odds.