The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to March 12, 2015 for service connection of traumatic arthritis of the left thumb, residuals of carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, and deviated nasal septum have been denied.,The RO assigned an effective date of March 12, 2015, for each grant of service connection. The Veteran did not file any claims prior to this date that would support earlier effective dates.

The Board finds that the Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the left hand does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5228. The disability more nearly approximates the 10 percent rating criteria for his left thumb under this diagnostic code, and he does not meet a higher rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection of traumatic arthritis of the left thumb and residuals of a right great toe fracture cannot be earlier than January 28, 2002 due to lack of an initial claim prior to this date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a left thumb injury with traumatic arthritis do not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.