{"page":"https://casescribe.ai/explorer/secondary/cervical-spine-limitation-of-motion-secondary-to-knee","generated_at":"2026-10-03T18:34:32.704Z","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 knee condition","secondary_condition":"Cervical spine limitation of motion","service_connected_disability":"a knee condition","decisions":397,"years":"2017-2026","granted_pct":10.6,"denied_pct":17.9,"remanded_pct":70.3,"granted_on_merits_pct":37.2,"by_year":[{"year":2017,"issues":24,"granted_pct":0,"denied_pct":20.8,"remanded_pct":70.8},{"year":2018,"issues":48,"granted_pct":14.6,"denied_pct":20.8,"remanded_pct":64.6},{"year":2019,"issues":57,"granted_pct":12.3,"denied_pct":15.8,"remanded_pct":71.9},{"year":2020,"issues":31,"granted_pct":3.2,"denied_pct":22.6,"remanded_pct":74.2},{"year":2021,"issues":57,"granted_pct":10.5,"denied_pct":15.8,"remanded_pct":73.7},{"year":2022,"issues":55,"granted_pct":5.5,"denied_pct":21.8,"remanded_pct":70.9},{"year":2023,"issues":50,"granted_pct":6,"denied_pct":24,"remanded_pct":68},{"year":2024,"issues":35,"granted_pct":8.6,"denied_pct":8.6,"remanded_pct":80},{"year":2025,"issues":30,"granted_pct":26.7,"denied_pct":10,"remanded_pct":63.3}],"benefit_of_doubt_in_grants_pct":76.2,"evidence_on_merits":[{"evidence":"va_exam_favorable","decisions_with":43,"granted_pct_with":51.9,"granted_pct_without":32.6},{"evidence":"va_exam_unfavorable","decisions_with":311,"granted_pct_with":31.2,"granted_pct_without":65},{"evidence":"nexus_positive","decisions_with":79,"granted_pct_with":65.9,"granted_pct_without":20.8},{"evidence":"nexus_negative","decisions_with":274,"granted_pct_with":29.1,"granted_pct_without":63},{"evidence":"private_opinion","decisions_with":135,"granted_pct_with":50,"granted_pct_without":27},{"evidence":"lay_statement","decisions_with":310,"granted_pct_with":34.1,"granted_pct_without":50}],"top_reasons":{"granted":[{"reason":"caused by the service-connected disability","decisions":10},{"reason":"current diagnosis established","decisions":5},{"reason":"service connection established","decisions":5},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":2}],"denied":[{"reason":"preponderance of the evidence against the claim","decisions":14},{"reason":"aggravated by the service-connected disability","decisions":9},{"reason":"va examiner: less likely than not related to service","decisions":8},{"reason":"service records negative or silent","decisions":5},{"reason":"no in-service complaints, treatment or diagnosis","decisions":5},{"reason":"evidence persuasively weighs against service connection","decisions":4}]},"recent_examples":{"granted":[{"case_id":"A26023906","year":2026,"judge":"J. SAIKH","rationale":"Private medical opinion found neck disorder aggravated by service-connected lower extremity disabilities; Opinion based on Veteran's medical history and current medical understanding; No contrary opinion of record"},{"case_id":"A26021207","year":2026,"judge":"TIMOTHY COTHREL","rationale":"New and relevant evidence received; Buddy statement corroborated in-service injury; Veteran's accounts inherently plausible and consistent; Benefit of the doubt applied"},{"case_id":"26001303","year":2026,"judge":"A. C. MACKENZIE","rationale":"Evidence supports secondary service connection; Conflicting VA examiner opinions ultimately favored positive nexus; Medical literature supports link between lower extremity impairment and cervical spine issues"}],"denied":[{"case_id":"A26038691","year":2026,"judge":"A. C. MACKENZIE","rationale":"No current diagnosis at time of initial decision; Subsequent records received after appeal period; Veteran not competent to provide nexus opinion"},{"case_id":"A25071558","year":2025,"judge":"WENDY DAKNIS","rationale":"Cervical spine disability not caused by service-connected knee; Cervical spine disability not aggravated by service-connected knee; Evidence weighs against secondary connection"},{"case_id":"A25022783","year":2025,"judge":"G. WILLIAM RIGGS","rationale":"No medical nexus opinion linking cervical spine to service or knee disabilities; Veteran missed scheduled VA examination; Evidence persuasively weighs against service connection"}]},"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":397,"aggravation_discussed":{"issues":196,"granted_pct":7.1},"causation_only":{"issues":201,"granted_pct":13.9},"issues_naming_a_pathway_pct":19.9,"pathways":[{"pathway":"Altered gait or overuse","issues":57,"granted_pct":12.3,"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":"22051118","year":2022,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"Private medical opinion from 2013 lacked probative value due to absence of supporting diagnostic imaging and chronic gait abnormality."}]},{"pathway":"Nerve involvement","issues":18,"granted_pct":33.3,"examples":[{"case_id":"26001303","year":2026,"outcome":"GRANTED","quote":"Service connection for a cervical spine condition is granted on a secondary basis, found to be proximately caused by the service-connected right knee condition and right lower extremity radiculopathy."},{"case_id":"19134793","year":2019,"outcome":"DENIED","quote":"The Board found a current diagnosis of arthritis of C5-6 with radiculopathy but denied direct service connection due to lack of in-service onset or complaints."}]}]},"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."}}