Gliedertaxe

Gliedertaxe is a fixed, schedule-based system used primarily in German-speaking countries to assess impairment of body parts resulting from injury or disease. It assigns predefined impairment percentages to specific limb segments and to certain organs or sensory functions. The sum of the individual percentages is not simply added together; a standard combining rule is applied to determine the overall degree of disability (Invaliditätsgrad) that a person bears. This overall value is then used to determine eligibility for pensions, compensation, or other benefits within social and health systems.

Historically, the Gliedertaxe emerged in the 19th century as a standardized method for evaluating claims by veterans and civilians with disabilities. It was codified in various German legal frameworks across the German Empire, the Weimar Republic, and the 20th century, including during the Nazi era. In modern Germany, the concept continues to influence medical-legal assessments in certain contexts, particularly in regard to accident and occupational disability and for some categories of war victims’ benefits, even as practice has evolved to incorporate functional limitations, prosthetic devices, and rehabilitation progress.

Structure and scope commonly cover the limbs (upper and lower), as well as important organs and senses. The system is designed to enable comparability and objectivity in disability evaluations, though it has faced criticism for sometimes not fully reflecting real-world functioning or individual rehabilitation outcomes. The precise values and application can vary by jurisdiction and over time; current guidelines from German social and medical authorities provide the authoritative references in contemporary cases.