Back to search
Updated June 2026 · SSA Public
Administrative Law Judge
Bestul, Joseph
COVINGTON GA Trending up
-1.9 pts vs national average
55.9%lifetime approval
vs baselines
This judge55.9%
COVINGTON GA65.7%
National avg57.8%
Total decisions
324
Fully favorable
137
42.3%
Partially favorable
44
13.6%
Denials
143
44.1%
Total dispositions
388
Dismissals
64
16.5%
Awards
181
3-year trend
Rising
FY2025 decision breakdown
Fully fav.
Partial
Denied
Fully fav. 42.3%Partially fav. 13.6%Denied 44.1%
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.