Citation Nr: 18151471
Decision Date: 11/20/18	Archive Date: 11/19/18

DOCKET NO. 15-18 217
DATE:	November 20, 2018
ORDER
Entitlement to service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is dismissed.
FINDING OF FACT
Prior to the promulgation of a final decision by the Board, the Veteran indicated that he wished to withdraw his pending appeal for service connection for PTSD.
CONCLUSION OF LAW
The criteria for withdrawal of a Substantive Appeal on the issue of service connection for PTSD by the Veteran have been met and the appeal is withdrawn.  38 U.S.C. § 7105(b)(2), (d)(5); 38 C.F.R. § 20.204. 
REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSION
The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Marine Corps from October 1974 to December 1987.
1. Entitlement to service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Under 38 U.S.C. § 7105, the Board may dismiss any appeal which fails to allege specific error of fact or law in the determination being appealed.  A Substantive Appeal may be withdrawn in writing at any time before the Board promulgates a decision.  38 C.F.R. § 20.202.  An appeal may be withdrawn on the record at a hearing, and the withdrawal is effective immediately upon receipt by VA.  38 C.F.R. § 20.204(b)(1), (3).  Withdrawal may be made by the veteran or by his or her authorized representative.  38 C.F.R. § 20.204.
The Veteran perfected an appeal of the August 2014 rating decision denying service connection for PTSD.  In November 2018, the Veteran’s representative submitted a letter stating that the Veteran wished to withdraw his PTSD appeal.  The representative noted that the Veteran was aware that withdrawing his appeal would close the claim and that he would need to submit new and material evidence to reopen the claim.  He also acknowledged that the Veteran reserved the right to file new claims for increased ratings or service connection at any time in the future.  
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The Board finds that the Veteran’s withdrawal met the criteria established by 38 C.F.R. § 20.204, as it included the name of the appellant, the applicable file number, and a statement that the appeal is being withdrawn.  See 38 C.F.R. § 20.204(b)(1).  Given the above circumstances, the Board finds that the Veteran’s withdrawal is explicit, unambiguous, and done with a full understanding of the consequences of such action.  See DeLisio v. Shinseki, 25 Vet. App. 45, 57 (2011).  Given that this withdrawal was effective upon receipt by VA, the Board finds that the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal and there remains no allegation of errors of fact or law for appellate consideration.  Accordingly, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the appeal and the PTSD claim is dismissed.
 
YVETTE R. WHITE
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	M. Moore, Counsel