{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/secondary/cervical-spine-limitation-of-motion-secondary-to-back","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:32.278Z","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":{"claim":"Cervical spine limitation of motion secondary to a back condition","secondary_condition":"Cervical spine limitation of motion","service_connected_disability":"a back condition","decisions":1600,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":8.7,"denied_pct":17.4,"remanded_pct":72.8,"granted_on_merits_pct":33.3,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":101,"granted_pct":5,"denied_pct":26.7,"remanded_pct":64.4},{"year":2018,"issues":130,"granted_pct":3.8,"denied_pct":21.5,"remanded_pct":71.5},{"year":2019,"issues":167,"granted_pct":1.8,"denied_pct":25.7,"remanded_pct":71.3},{"year":2020,"issues":194,"granted_pct":9.3,"denied_pct":16,"remanded_pct":73.7},{"year":2021,"issues":226,"granted_pct":7.5,"denied_pct":19.9,"remanded_pct":71.7},{"year":2022,"issues":208,"granted_pct":5.8,"denied_pct":9.6,"remanded_pct":84.6},{"year":2023,"issues":205,"granted_pct":11.2,"denied_pct":14.6,"remanded_pct":73.2},{"year":2024,"issues":172,"granted_pct":14,"denied_pct":16.9,"remanded_pct":68},{"year":2025,"issues":155,"granted_pct":14.8,"denied_pct":11.6,"remanded_pct":72.9},{"year":2026,"issues":47,"granted_pct":19.1,"denied_pct":17,"remanded_pct":63.8}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":79.1,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":140,"granted_pct_with":60,"granted_pct_without":29.3},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":1325,"granted_pct_with":30.7,"granted_pct_without":54.3},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":244,"granted_pct_with":82.8,"granted_pct_without":14.3},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":1108,"granted_pct_with":29.3,"granted_pct_without":52.8},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":488,"granted_pct_with":52.5,"granted_pct_without":15.7},{"evidence":"treating_physician","decisions_with":67,"granted_pct_with":53.6,"granted_pct_without":31.9},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":1286,"granted_pct_with":30.2,"granted_pct_without":58.7},{"evidence":"buddy_statement","decisions_with":44,"granted_pct_with":45.5,"granted_pct_without":33},{"evidence":"combat_service","decisions_with":57,"granted_pct_with":35.3,"granted_pct_without":33.3}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":29},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":12},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":9},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":6},{"reason":"current cervical spine disability diagnosed","decisions":3},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":3}],"denied":[{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":58},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":52},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":27},{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":26},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":13},{"reason":"no current diagnosis","decisions":10}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26036711","year":2026,"judge":"B. MULLINS","rationale":"Current diagnosis of cervical strain and degenerative arthritis; In-service injury reported (forklift incident); Consistent statements regarding neck and back pain; Private opinion found condition more likely than not service-related; VA provider concluded cervicalgia secondary to intervertebral dis… [truncated, 146 chars omitted]"},{"case_id":"A26031683","year":2026,"judge":"L. STEPANICK","rationale":"Evidence in relative equipoise; Benefit of the doubt applied; Private physician opinion found probative"},{"case_id":"A26029820","year":2026,"judge":"K.A. KENNERLY","rationale":"Favorable private medical opinion linking cervical disability to lumbar disability; Inadequate VA medical opinion; Benefit of the doubt afforded to veteran"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26034621","year":2026,"judge":"M. MILLS","rationale":"Favorable AOJ finding for diagnosis of cervical strain.; Negative nexus opinions from VA examiners (Feb 2023, Sep 2024).; Private opinion less persuasive due to lack of baseline severity analysis."},{"case_id":"26002735","year":2026,"judge":"PAULETTE VANCE BURTON","rationale":"No chronicity of cervical spine symptoms during or after service.; Veteran's statements regarding in-service neck injury lacked credibility.; Medical opinions found no direct service connection or secondary causation from low back condition."},{"case_id":"26002513","year":2026,"judge":"ERIC S. LEBOFF","rationale":"Lumbar spine disability not service-connected; No evidence of in-service onset or event; No nexus to service-connected psychiatric disability or scar"}]},"how_argued":{"note":"From keyword matches in each issue's AI summary and rationale, not the full decision. Only issues whose text names a medical link are counted under pathways; one issue can name several. A link named in a denial was often the argument the Board rejected.","issues":1605,"aggravation_discussed":{"issues":782,"granted_pct":3.7},"causation_only":{"issues":823,"granted_pct":13.4},"issues_naming_a_pathway_pct":10.4,"pathways":[{"pathway":"Nerve involvement","issues":79,"granted_pct":16.5,"examples":[{"case_id":"A26002100","year":2026,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"VA examinations diagnosed cervical strain and radiculopathy."},{"case_id":"25007525","year":2025,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"Lack of in-service documentation for radiculopathy"}]},{"pathway":"Altered gait or overuse","issues":59,"granted_pct":28.8,"examples":[{"case_id":"A26023906","year":2026,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"A private nurse practitioner opined that the neck condition was as likely as not aggravated by these service-connected conditions due to altered gait."},{"case_id":"25011672","year":2025,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"P.'s opinion lacked probative value due to false premise (no antalgic gait).."}]},{"pathway":"Chronic pain","issues":17,"granted_pct":11.8,"examples":[{"case_id":"A25057922","year":2025,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Private physician opined more likely than not that neck pain resulted from service-connected back condition."},{"case_id":"24008162","year":2024,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"The veteran claimed service connection for a cervical spine disability, alleging it was caused by service or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability due to radiating pain."}]},{"pathway":"Weight gain or obesity","issues":13,"granted_pct":0,"examples":[{"case_id":"24026242","year":2024,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"Degenerative disc disease attributed to age and obesity."}]}]},"how_va_rates":null,"requirements":"38 CFR 3.310: a current diagnosis, a service-connected disability, and medical evidence that it caused (3.310(a)) or aggravated (3.310(b)) the condition."}}