Injury or strain to the neck muscles and ligaments. Can cause chronic pain, headaches, and limited neck mobility.
Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine
Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees; or, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour
Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the cervical spine greater than 170 degrees but not greater than 335 degrees; or, muscle spasm, guarding, or localized tenderness not resulting in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour; or, vertebral body fracture with loss of 50 percent or more of the height
Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 40 degrees but not greater than 45 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the cervical spine greater than 335 degrees but not greater than 340 degrees; or, vertebral body fracture with loss of less than 50 percent of the height
Medical Evidence
Current diagnosis from a qualified healthcare provider, medical records documenting symptoms and treatment history
Service Connection
Evidence linking your condition to military service (service treatment records, incident reports, or nexus letter)
Personal Statement
Your detailed account of how cervical strain affects your daily life and when symptoms began
Lay Evidence
Buddy letters from fellow service members or family who can corroborate your symptoms
During your Compensation & Pension exam for cervical strain, examiners will assess your symptoms against the rating criteria above.
Be specific: Describe your worst day, not your average day
Document everything: Bring copies of all medical records and evidence
Functional impact: Explain how symptoms affect work, sleep, and daily activities
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