Citation Nr: 21075043 Decision Date: 12/17/21 Archive Date: 12/17/21 DOCKET NO. 17-10 525 DATE: December 17, 2021 ORDER The appeal concerning entitlement to an increased rating over 10 percent for the period prior to December 10, 2014 and over 30 percent thereafter for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is dismissed. The appeal concerning entitlement to an increased rating over 10 percent for the period prior to December 10, 2014 and over 20 percent thereafter for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is dismissed. The appeal concerning entitlement to an increased rating over 10 percent for right wrist carpal tunnel bone dislocation with degenerative arthritis is dismissed. The appeal concerning entitlement to an increased rating over 10 percent for left wrist carpal tunnel bone dislocation with degenerative arthritis is dismissed. FINDING OF FACT In November 2021, prior to the promulgation of a decision in the instant appeal, the appellant filed an explicit and unambiguous withdrawal of her claims for left and right wrist disabilities with a full understanding of the consequences of such action. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 1. The criteria for dismissal of the appeal concerning entitlement to an increased rating over 10 percent for the period prior to December 10, 2014 and over 30 percent thereafter for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome have been met. 38 U.S.C. § 7105; 38 C.F.R. § 19.55. 2. The criteria for dismissal of the appeal concerning entitlement to an increased rating over 10 percent for the period prior to December 10, 2014 and over 20 percent for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome have been met. 38 U.S.C. § 7105; 38 C.F.R. § 19.55. 3. The criteria for dismissal of the appeal concerning entitlement to an increased rating over 10 percent for the right wrist carpal tunnel bone dislocation with degenerative arthritis have been met. 38 U.S.C. § 7105; 38 C.F.R. § 19.55. 4. The criteria for dismissal of the appeal concerning entitlement to an increased rating over 10 percent for the right wrist carpal tunnel bone dislocation with degenerative arthritis have been met. 38 U.S.C. § 7105; 38 C.F.R. § 19.55. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDING AND CONCLUSIONS The claimant or the claimant's representative may withdraw an appeal as to any or all issues on appeal. 38 C.F.R. § 20.204(a) (2016). Except for appeals withdrawn on the record at a hearing, withdrawal must be in writing. 38 C.F.R. § 20.204(b)(1) (2016). A withdrawal is effective when received if receipt is prior to the issuance of a decision by the Board. 38 C.F.R. § 20.204(b)(3) (2016). Withdrawal of a claim constitutes a withdrawal of the notice of disagreement and, if filed, the substantive appeal. 38 C.F.R. § 20.204(c) (2016). The Board may dismiss any appeal which fails to allege a specific error of fact or law. 38 U.S.C. § 7105(d)(5) (West 2014); 38 C.F.R. § 20.202 (2016). There is no obligation to proceed with further adjudication following withdrawal. Hanson v. Brown, 9 Vet. App. 29 (1996). 1. The appellant's withdrawal of her claim for an increased rating for right wrist disability is valid. 2. The appellant's withdrawal of her claim for an increased rating for left wrist disability is valid. 3. The appellant's withdrawal of her claim for an increased rating for right wrist carpal tunnel bone dislocation with degenerative arthritis is valid. 4. The appellant's withdrawal of her claim for an increased rating for left wrist carpal tunnel bone dislocation with degenerative arthritis is valid. The Veteran had active service in the United States Air Force from June 1999 to June 2003. These matters came to the Board of Veterans Appeals (Board) on appeal of a November 2016 rating decision by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). The November 2016 decision denied increased ratings over 10 percent for both the Veteran's left and right carpal bone dislocations (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome). The RO increased those ratings in a January 2017 decision from 10 percent to 30 percent for the Veteran's right wrist and from 10 percent to 20 percent for the Veteran's left wrist disability effective December 31, 2014. An April 2019 RO decision found clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the January 2017 decision and granted an earlier effective of December 10, 2014 for both increased ratings. In a November 2021 letter to the Board, the Veteran's representative withdrew both increased rating claims in a writing stating: "The Veteran is satisfied with her recent appeal decision and wishes for her appeal to be closed." (Continued on the next page) The Board finds the November 2021 letter is an explicit and unambiguous withdrawal of the claims and, there remains no allegations of error of fact or law for appellate consideration. Accordingly, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the appeal, and the motion is granted. H. SEESEL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Black, Jeffrey W. The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.