{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/conditions/cervical-spine-limitation-of-motion","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:28.184Z","data_as_of":{"decisions":944125,"first_year":2017,"last_year":2026,"latest_decision":"2026-04-30","cfr":"2026-10-01","m21":"2026-09-29"},"about":{"publisher":"CaseScribe AI (VA Law Explorer)","source":"Public Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions (appeals of VA decisions, not VA's first decisions), M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, 38 CFR Parts 3 and 4.","method":"Outcomes are issue-level: each condition the Board decided in a decision counts once. Decision data is extracted by AI and can contain errors. Rates describe past appeals and do not predict any claim.","disclaimer":"For research only. CaseScribe AI is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Verify figures against the source decisions and regulations.","attribution":"Cite as: VA Law Explorer, CaseScribe AI, with the page URL."},"data":{"condition":"Cervical spine limitation of motion","all_conditions_granted_pct":19.4,"decisions":21251,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":13.3,"denied_pct":26.7,"remanded_pct":58.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":33.3,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":1226,"granted_pct":7.4,"denied_pct":30.5,"remanded_pct":57.4},{"year":2018,"issues":2009,"granted_pct":7.8,"denied_pct":28.7,"remanded_pct":60},{"year":2019,"issues":2410,"granted_pct":8.5,"denied_pct":27.5,"remanded_pct":62.4},{"year":2020,"issues":2344,"granted_pct":9.6,"denied_pct":30.4,"remanded_pct":58.1},{"year":2021,"issues":2372,"granted_pct":11.2,"denied_pct":28.6,"remanded_pct":58.6},{"year":2022,"issues":2419,"granted_pct":12.4,"denied_pct":23.1,"remanded_pct":63.1},{"year":2023,"issues":2615,"granted_pct":13.5,"denied_pct":23.7,"remanded_pct":61},{"year":2024,"issues":2575,"granted_pct":16.5,"denied_pct":23,"remanded_pct":58.6},{"year":2025,"issues":2623,"granted_pct":20.7,"denied_pct":27.5,"remanded_pct":50.8},{"year":2026,"issues":1028,"granted_pct":26.8,"denied_pct":24.1,"remanded_pct":48}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":74.8,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":2051,"granted_pct_with":53.1,"granted_pct_without":29.8},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":15496,"granted_pct_with":32.5,"granted_pct_without":36.7},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":3294,"granted_pct_with":69.2,"granted_pct_without":22.1},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":11276,"granted_pct_with":32.1,"granted_pct_without":35.1},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":6591,"granted_pct_with":47.4,"granted_pct_without":24.1},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":1048,"granted_pct_with":59.4,"granted_pct_without":31.4},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":17671,"granted_pct_with":33.4,"granted_pct_without":32.5},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":929,"granted_pct_with":51.5,"granted_pct_without":32.3},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":1169,"granted_pct_with":48.5,"granted_pct_without":32.3}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":406},{"reason":"continuity of symptomatology since service","decisions":77},{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":69},{"reason":"criteria for service connection met","decisions":66},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":30},{"reason":"new and material evidence submitted","decisions":22}],"denied":[{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":836},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":654},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":596},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":520},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":342},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":305}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26040540","year":2026,"judge":"JENNIFER HWA","rationale":"Current cervical spine pathology established; In-service injury (fall) confirmed by STRs; Treating chiropractor's opinion found probative and linked condition to service; VA opinions found inadequate for failing to address lay testimony and in-service injury; Benefit of the doubt applied due to appr… [truncated, 27 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"26005105","year":2026,"judge":"T. RAYMOND","rationale":"Credible lay reports of persistent symptoms since MVA; MVA caused physical injuries; Established pattern of other service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities from same MVA; Imaging confirmed degenerative changes; No other post-service cause identified; Benefit of the doubt applied"},{"case_id":"A26040681","year":2026,"judge":"MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER","rationale":"Veteran reported neck strain from helicopter pilot duties; Private opinion more persuasive than VA opinions; Private opinion cited medical research on neck strain from posture/vibration"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26040965","year":2026,"judge":"A. DEAN","rationale":"No current diagnosis of neck disability; No evidence of functional impairment; No complaints or treatments in service records"},{"case_id":"A26039979","year":2026,"judge":"L. CHU","rationale":"Current diagnosis of cervical strain acknowledged.; In-service event of neck pain in July 1998 acknowledged.; VA addendum opinions found in-service condition acute and resolved.; Current symptoms attributed to post-service occupational overuse.; Evidence insufficient to show chronicity or continuity… [truncated, 236 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"26005052","year":2026,"judge":"B. MULLINS","rationale":"Service treatment records negative for cervical spine disorder.; Post-service treatment for cervical spine sprain occurred years after service.; Veteran's assertions of in-service event found not credible.; No evidence of in-service event or injury to cause current disorder."}]},"how_va_rates":null,"rules":[]}}