C&P Exam Prep: Cervical Spine Exam

Preparing for Your VA Cervical Spine C&P Exam | What Veterans Need to Know

This episode walks you through the cervical spine compensation and pension exam step by step. Learn how to translate your pain and limitations into the specific language the VA uses to determine your disability rating.

What We Cover:

• Understanding the exam – How the DBQ works and why range of motion measurements matter
• Anatomy basics – How discs, nerves, and dermatomes connect to your symptoms
• Building your evidence – MRI, CT, EMG, and why PT records show consistency over time
• The stop-at-pain rule – Why you stop moving when pain begins, not when you physically can't move anymore
• Functional loss – How to describe real-world limitations like driving, sleeping, and daily tasks
• Flare-ups – What to say about triggers, duration, and incapacitation
• Secondary conditions – Don't overlook headaches, weak grip, or other related issues
• IVDS challenges – The bed rest criteria conflict and how to address it
• Ratings math – How 38 CFR 4.71a determines your percentage and when to file for an increase

Resources mentioned: VA Form 21-4138 (Statement in Support of Claim)

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