What rates 30% for Cervical Strain under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 (DC 5237), a 30% rating for Cervical Strain requires: Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

What rates 40% for Cervical Strain under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 (DC 5237), a 40% rating for Cervical Strain requires: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

What rates 100% for Cervical Strain under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 (DC 5237), a 100% rating for Cervical Strain requires: Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.

What secondary conditions are linked to Cervical Strain?

Common secondary conditions for Cervical Strain include Cervical Radiculopathy, Migraines, Tension Headaches, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Shoulder Condition. Secondary service connection is established under 38 C.F.R. 3.310 when a condition is caused or aggravated by an already service-connected disability.

What happens during a C&P exam for Cervical Strain?

Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation. Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. Not legal or medical advice. Not affiliated with the VA.

← All Condition Guides

CLAIM RECON INTEL

Cervical Strain

Q: What are the VA rating percentages for Cervical Strain?

Cervical Strain (DC 5237) is rated at 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 100% under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237. Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or, 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.

Q: What rates 10% for Cervical Strain under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 (DC 5237), a 10% rating for Cervical Strain requires: Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or, 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.

Q: What rates 20% for Cervical Strain under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237?

Under 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 (DC 5237), a 20% rating for Cervical Strain requires: Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees; or, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour.

Q: What evidence do I need for a Cervical Strain VA claim?

Key evidence for a Cervical Strain claim includes: Service treatment records showing injury or complaints; Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT); Range of motion measurements; Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin; Buddy statements describing limitations. All evidence should document both the condition and its impact on daily functioning.

DC 5237 | 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 | 

Cervical Strain is rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs under DC 5237 of 38 CFR § 4.71a, DC 5237 across 5 severity tiers (10% / 20% / 30% / 40% / 100%). 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.

OVERVIEW

Strain or sprain of the cervical (neck) muscles and ligaments causing pain, stiffness, and limited neck mobility

RATING CRITERIA (5 LEVELS)

10%

Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 40 degrees; or, 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.

20%

Forward flexion of the cervical spine greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees; or, combined range of motion of the cervical spine not greater than 170 degrees; or, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour.

30%

Forward flexion of the cervical spine 15 degrees or less; or, favorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

40%

Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine.

100%

Unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine.

KEY EVIDENCE TO GATHER

-Service treatment records showing injury or complaints

-Imaging (X-ray, MRI, CT)

-Range of motion measurements

-Flare-up documentation per Sharp v. Shulkin

-Buddy statements describing limitations

-Prescription history

-Physical therapy records

-Employment impact documentation

SECONDARY CONDITIONS (13 MAPPED)

Cervical RadiculopathyMODERATE

DC

Chronic strain causes inflammation compressing cervical nerve roots

MigrainesMODERATE

DC

Cervical strain triggers cervicogenic headaches and migraines

Tension HeadachesMODERATE

DC

Chronic neck muscle tension causes headaches

Thoracic Outlet SyndromeMODERATE

DC

Postural changes and muscle tension compress neurovascular bundle

Shoulder ConditionMODERATE

DC

Referred pain and compensatory movement affect shoulders

Bilateral Shoulder ConditionMODERATE

DC

Cervical dysfunction affects both shoulders

Carpal Tunnel SyndromeMODERATE

DC

Cervical radiculopathy contributes to upper extremity nerve symptoms

Upper Extremity WeaknessMODERATE

DC

Nerve root irritation causes arm and hand weakness

VertigoMODERATE

DC

Cervical proprioceptive dysfunction causes dizziness

TMJ DisorderMODERATE

DC

Cervical dysfunction affects jaw alignment and function

Lumbar Spine ConditionMODERATE

DC

Compensatory changes develop in lumbar spine

DepressionMODERATE

DC

Chronic neck pain causes depressive symptoms

Sleep ApneaMODERATE

DC

Neck positioning issues worsen airway obstruction

C&P EXAM TIPS (6)

1.Do NOT stretch, warm up, or take pain medication before your exam. The VA needs your baseline limitation.

2.Report your WORST day. DeLuca v. Brown requires documentation of functional loss during flare-ups.

3.Tell the examiner about flare-ups: frequency, duration, estimated ROM loss. Sharp v. Shulkin (2017) requires estimates.

4.Request active, passive, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing ROM testing per Correia v. McDonald (2016).

5.If you use assistive devices (brace, cane), bring them.

6.Describe daily activity impact: work, sleep, household tasks.

Secondary Conditions Explorer

736 secondaries mapped

Calculate Your Rating

VA math + dollar impact

SECONDARY CONDITIONS

Cervical Radiculopathy Migraines Tension Headaches Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Shoulder Condition Bilateral Shoulder Condition Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Upper Extremity Weakness

RELATED TOOLS

Rating Calculator Secondaries Map C&P Exam Prep PACT Act Scanner 2026 Rates

SOURCES & EDITORIAL

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.

→ View 38 C.F.R. Part 4 on eCFR → Editorial Standards → Suggest a correction

EDUCATIONAL TOOL ONLY. NOT LEGAL OR MEDICAL ADVICE.
NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.
CLAIM RECON 2026

LOADING