Update: April 2, 2026
After the story aired, the VA contacted the Knights. They said they were bumping his rating up and now classifying his disability as permanent.
NewsChannel 5 had inquired with the VA on March 26 about the rating decisions. Following the story's broadcast on March 31, Press Secretary Pete Kasperowicz provided a timeline of the rating decisions.
"VA gave Mr. Knight a temporary 100% disability rating decision in August 2024, in accordance with federal law, and planned to review that rating at a later date," Pete Kasperowicz said.
"In December 2025, VA sent Mr. Knight a letter stating that he had a permanent 100% disability rating. VA regrets the error in this letter, which had no effect on his ability to receive VA benefits."
"The Veteran requested an update to his status on March 23, 2026, and VA launched an expedited review that was nearly complete by the time WTVF asked VA about it. VA’s review, which included new evidence, was finalized on March 30, and on March 31, VA told Mr. Knight that he now has a permanent 100% disability rating effective March 23, 2026." Kasperowicz said.
It is still unclear if the family will get property tax relief in Tennessee, but this rating opens the door to other well-deserved benefits for Randolph Knight.
__________________
Army veteran Randolph Knight dedicated his life to the country, serving 23 years in the military, including during the Vietnam War, and working on rocket launchers.
Now, the 87-year-old is facing a new challenge on the home front: a battle over his benefits, all while coping with stage four prostate cancer and dementia.
These days, in the trenches with Randolph is his wife, Shirley Knight.
She schedules his Department of Veterans Affairs appointments in Nashville and Murfreesboro and fights for the benefits he earned. Shirley's help became especially essential after Randolph's cancer diagnosis at the end of 2024.
"She has virtually saved my life," said Randolph Knight.
The couple received a letter from the VA on Dec. 15, which served as official proof that Randolph's disability rating qualified him for certain programs.
"Are you considered to be totally and permanently disabled due to your service-connected disabilities: yes," said Shirley Knight, as she read off the paper.
When the Knights went to pay their property taxes at the Sumner County Trustee's Office, they brought the letter with them, expecting it would get them qualified for the state's property tax relief program for disabled veterans.
Some time passed. Then, they received a letter from the State Comptroller's Office saying they did not qualify.
"So I called the number, and they said it was the VA. I called VA, and I told her I had paperwork stating he's 100% disabled, total permanent, service-connected. And that's when they told me there'd been a discrepancy," Shirley said.
The VA said their paperwork should have listed a temporary 100% disability rating for Randolph, not a permanent one.
Veterans benefits experts said because the VA considers cancer a condition that could improve, Randolph did not qualify for benefits that could have eased their burden.
"He will be on medicine and treatments for the rest of his life. It's already stage four. It's moved to his bones. He will also be taking a bone-strengthening treatment once a year. So, he won't go into remission. It's permanent," Shirley said.
"Like glue," Randolph added.
During these precious moments together, this stress is the last thing the family needs.
"I just want somebody to be accountable, and I want somebody to stand up, take responsibility. Ya know, and nobody does," Shirley said.
I’ve reached out to the VA for more information on the disability rating criteria and Randolph’s case. The process has been slow, but the VA’s national headquarters told me Monday that they need a few more days to review the details and hope to provide an official response by the end of this week or early next week.
Even in tough times, we want to hear your story and help. If you think Hannah can help, email Hannah.McDonald@NewsChannel5.com.
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
Here’s a story offering a great example of how a common cause, and a little creativity, can “intersect” to improve quality of life. Our South Nashville reporter Patsy Montesinos shares how some neighbors decided to take action, following the tragic death of a 77-year-old in a hit-and-run along Antioch Pike earlier this year. See how they used “tactical urbanism” to make the area a little safer for all.
- Rhori Johnston
