🪪 Severe disability card and degree of disability (GdB) in chronic illness
In brief
A chronic physical illness – such as insulin-dependent diabetes, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis or chronic kidney disease – can establish a degree of disability (Grad der Behinderung, GdB) if it leads to an impairment of participation that is not merely temporary (lasting at least six months). From a GdB of 50, you count as severely disabled and can apply for a severe disability card (Schwerbehindertenausweis). How high the GdB is in the individual case depends on the Versorgungsmedizin-Verordnung and on the specific severity, not on the diagnosis alone.
Step by step
- Compile medical documentsCurrent findings, the course of the illness and proof of treatment are the most important basis for the assessment by the Versorgungsamt.
- Submit the application to the VersorgungsamtThe application to determine the GdB can be submitted informally or with an application form to the responsible Versorgungsamt.
- Expect an individual GdB for each functional impairmentIf there are several illnesses or functional impairments, the Versorgungsamt first forms individual values and from them an overall GdB – not by simple addition.
- Check the notice of decisionCheck the notice of decision (Bescheid) against the actual effects of the illness in everyday life; a GdB that is too low is a common ground for objection.
- File an objection within the deadlineIf the GdB is too low or refused, you can file an objection (Widerspruch) within one month.
Deadlines
- A GdB is not awarded on the basis of the diagnosis alone but assessed according to the actual, lasting effects of the illness in everyday life – two people with the same diagnosis can receive a different GdB.
- For the detailed application, the exact assessment under the Versorgungsmedizin-Verordnung, marks and all compensation for disadvantages (tax allowance, vehicle tax, extra leave, protection against dismissal, etc.), see the separate Wegweiser Disability – this page gives only the starting point specifically for people with chronic physical illness.
- The GdB is determined independently of a care level and independently of a reduced earning capacity pension; a high GdB does not establish an automatic entitlement to care benefits or a reduced earning capacity pension.
In depth · legal basis, figures and practice – for advisers and professionals
Legal classification
Under § 2 Abs. 1 SGB IX, a disability exists if the physical, mental, intellectual or sensory function deviates with high probability for longer than six months from the condition typical for the person's age and participation in society is thereby impaired. Chronic physical illnesses often, but not necessarily, meet this criterion – what matters is the actual, lasting effect, not the diagnosis as such.
Assessment under the Versorgungsmedizin-Verordnung
The GdB is assessed according to the principles set out in the annex to the Versorgungsmedizin-Verordnung (Versorgungsmedizinische Grundsätze). For many chronic illnesses, specific GdB ranges can be found there, for example for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus depending on the treatment intensity required and the metabolic situation, or for chronic inflammatory bowel disease depending on disease activity. Where there are several functional impairments, individual GdB values are formed first, from which the overall GdB results – not by simple addition but by an evaluative overall view.
Detailed information on the whole procedure, on marks and on all compensation for disadvantages can be found in the Wegweiser Disability, in particular on the pages "Applying for a severe disability card" and "Degree of disability: assessment and objection".
A question about your situation that this page does not answer? Write to us or use the contact form – we will tell you which office is responsible and what to bring. Free of charge, without individual legal advice.