LOADING
Cervical Strain is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5237 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 across 6 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 30% / 40% / 50%…). Service connection requires (1) a current diagnosis, (2) an in-service event, injury, or exposure, and (3) a medical nexus opinion linking the two under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303. This condition is frequently rated as secondary to Cervical Radiculopathy or Migraines under 38 C.F.R. § 3.310.
Cervical strain is an injury to the soft-tissue structures of the neck (paraspinal muscles, tendons, and supporting ligaments of the cervical spine) producing pain, stiffness, muscle spasm, and reduced neck motion. It is the cervical counterpart to lumbosacral strain and commonly follows acute overload, whiplash-type acceleration/deceleration, or chronic repetitive postural and load-bearing stress. Severity for rating turns on objective limitation of cervical motion, the presence of muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to alter gait or spinal contour, and at the high end ankylosis of the cervical segment.
Rating criteria reference 38 C.F.R. Part 4 (Schedule for Rating Disabilities). This entry has not yet undergone editorial review against the live regulation text — consult the authoritative source directly before relying on the criteria shown.