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Updated July 2026 · SSA Public

Administrative Law Judge

Buell, David

OMAHANebraska Stable

+3.4 pts vs national average

61.1%lifetime approval

vs baselines

This judge61.1%
OMAHA50.0%
National avg57.7%

Total decisions

234

Fully favorable

122

52.1%

Partially favorable

21

9.0%

Denials

91

38.9%

Total dispositions

267

Dismissals

33

12.4%

Awards

143

3-year trend

Stable

FY2026 decision breakdown

Fully fav.
Partial
Denied
Fully fav. 52.1%Partially fav. 9.0%Denied 38.9%

Approval rate history

FY2011
66.7%18 dec
FY2012
33.2%422 dec
FY2013
38.6%461 dec
FY2014
49.3%497 dec
FY2015
40.3%412 dec
FY2016
54.3%394 dec
FY2017
46.0%417 dec
FY2018
51.8%450 dec
FY2019
53.8%474 dec
FY2020
47.4%388 dec
FY2021
53.3%330 dec
FY2022
52.6%308 dec
FY2023
56.2%338 dec
FY2024
51.5%363 dec
Above national Below national National avg

Other ALJs at OMAHA (5)

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.

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