Which finding is consistent with CN VI damage?

The presence of diplopia and inability to abduct the eye is consistent with damage to cranial nerve VI, also known as the abducens nerve. This nerve is primarily responsible for controlling the lateral rectus muscle, which is essential for eye abduction. When this nerve is compromised, individuals may experience double vision (diplopia) as the affected eye is unable to move laterally. As a result, the proper alignment of the eyes is disrupted, leading to difficulty in coordinating visual input and processing, which manifests as double vision. This characteristic symptom of eye movement restriction directly links to the dysfunction of cranial nerve VI, making it the correct answer in this context.