Citation Nr: 21007859 Decision Date: 02/10/21 Archive Date: 02/10/21 DOCKET NO. 15-31 477A DATE: February 10, 2021 ORDER Service connection for atrial fibrillation, to include as secondary to hypertension is dismissed. Service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to service-connected anxiety disorder is dismissed. A compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss is dismissed.   FINDINGS OF FACT In June 2020, prior to the promulgation of a Board decision, the Veteran withdrew the appeal for the issues dismissed in the present decision. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW The criteria for withdrawal of the claims on appeal have been met. 38 U.S.C. § 7105; 38 C.F.R. § 19.55. REASONS AND BASES FOR FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS The Veteran served on active duty from June 1970 to December 1971. The case is on appeal from April 2014 and September 2014 rating decisions. The case was most recently before the Board in August 2018. At that time, the Board denied the issue of service connection for a sleep disorder and an issue involving right ear hearing loss. In addition, the Board granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for alcohol abuse disorder, hypertension, atrial fibrillation and entitlement to a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss. In a February 2019 rating decision, the RO implemented the Board’s grant of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and assigned a 100 percent rating evaluation. In a subsequent April 2020 rating decision, the RO indicated that the total and permanent award of service connection for a psychiatric disorder includes the Veteran’s anxiety, trauma/stress related disorder with panic attacks and alcohol use disorder. As the issue of alcohol use disorder has been acknowledged in the award and rating evaluation assigned for the Veteran’s psychiatric disorder, the issue is considered as a benefit which has been granted in full and is no longer on appeal. As such, the remaining issues on appeal are the claims of service connection for atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss. Ultimately, in a September 2020 statement, the Veteran’s representative attorney notified the Board of his withdrawal as the Veteran’s representative in compliance with 38 C.F.R. § 14.631(c). As such, the Veteran has no representation and is proceeding before the Board pro se. 1. Service connection for atrial fibrillation. 2. Service connection for hypertension, to include as secondary to service-connected anxiety disorder. 3. A compensable rating for left ear hearing loss. 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. An appeal may be withdrawn as to any or all issues involved in the appeal at any time before the Board promulgates a decision, either by the appellant or by his or her authorized representative. 38 C.F.R. § 19.55. In June 2020, VA received a May 2020 VA Form 21-4138 (Statement in Support of Claim) from the Veteran accompanied by a formal Withdrawal Request. In doing so, the Veteran stated that he “would like to withdraw [his pending claims of service connection for] hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and [his increase claim for] left ear hearing loss which were remanded by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals on 8/13/2018.” See also a copy of the Statement in Support of Claim resubmitted on August 17, 2020. The Board finds that the Veteran’s withdrawal of the issue on appeal is “explicit, unambiguous, and done with a full understanding of the consequences of such action on the part of the claimant.” DeLisio v. Shinseki, 25 Vet. App. 45, 57 (2011); see also Acree v O’Rourke, 891 F.3d 1009 (Fed. Cir. 2018). In this regard, the May 2020 statement is an express written statement by the Veteran who stated that he no longer wants to pursue any further the claimed issues on appeal before the Board. Therefore, there remain no allegations of errors of fact or law for appellate consideration with regard to this appeal. Accordingly, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the issues of service connection for atrial fibrillation and hypertension, and a compensable rating for service-connected left ear hearing loss. Thus, the appeal is dismissed. RYAN T. KESSEL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board William Pagan, Associate Counsel 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.