[Problems in expert assessment of disorders caused by imprisonment]

After the reunification of the two German states (Federal Republic of Germany and German Democratic Republic [DDR]), roughly 400,000 applications, according to the Federal Pension Act (BVG), have been filed by former members of the German armed forces to have their claims for injuries to health acknowledged by the Pension Office of the Länder (States); likewise 4000 demands for works done, according to the Concentration Camp Prisoners Act (HHG), have reached the same administration. The article gives an account of the conditions in the regional prisoner-of-war camps (1943-1956), the situation in the detention centers of the DDR (1945-1989), the physical and mental diseases in these years with lasting ill-health to the present day. The author ascertains the particular difficulties of the expert opinion in the fact that the number of the consultants, who were time and living witnesses, is steadily declining. The present paper aims at the procurement of reliable knowledge resulting from experience, to younger colleagues, to whom are now assigned the expertise.