🎖️ VALOR

Hershel “Woody” Williams and the Fire at Iwo Jima 

Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams was born on Oct. 2, 1923, in Quiet Dell, WV and raised on a dairy farm near Fairmont, WV. The youngest of eleven children, he entered the world underweight and wasn’t expected to live. By the time he was 11, his father was gone, and several siblings were, too, leaving him to grow up fast and work whatever jobs he could find.

When the US entered World War II, he was in Montana with the Civilian Conservation Corps and set his sights on the United States Marine Corps Reserve. He tried to enlist in 1942 and got turned away for being 5'6" until the height requirement changed in 1943. After training, he was pushed into demolition work and into using flamethrowers, learning the weapon’s mechanics in detail and, as he put it later, how to truly use it “ourselves.”

His defining moment came at Iwo Jima in February 1945. With his unit pinned down by pillboxes and machine-gun fire, Williams fought forward with a flamethrower, losing the men around him as casualties and continuing anyway.

Over roughly four hours, covered by only four riflemen, he repeatedly went back for fuel and charges, then returned to burn out position after position, sometimes attacking from angles the defenders didn’t expect. He was wounded in the leg later in the battle, but he kept fighting, and he would later say much of that day is “just a blank” in his memory.

On Oct. 5, 1945, then-Harry S. Truman presented him the Medal of Honor. After the war, he remained tied to the Marine Corps Reserve long enough to reach the rank of Chief Warrant Officer 4. He served civilians and veterans as well, working for VA as a veterans service representative for 33 years.

Williams passed away on June 29, 2022, at the VA medical center in Huntington, WV, at 98, the last living Medal of Honor recipient from World War II. He later lay in honor at the United States Capitol Rotunda, a rare public salute to a man whose life carried the same through-line from start to finish.

Honor veterans like Hershel Woodrow “Woody” Williams and watch more stories on our YouTube channel.

⚖️ EXPERTS

VA Knee Replacement Ratings Explained 

The Department of Veterans Affairs can assign multiple ratings for knee conditions, and knee replacement claims are one of the most important because they can qualify for a temporary 100% rating right after surgery, followed by long-term ratings based on how the knee heals. 

How VA Rates A Knee Replacement (DC 5055) 

VA assigns ratings for knee resurfacing or total knee replacement under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5055. The specific criteria determine what rating applies at each stage: 

• A temporary 100% rating applies for 4 months following prosthesis or knee resurfacing, beginning after the initial 1-month convalescence (for a total of 5 months at 100%, assuming standard timelines). 

• The 4-month period under DC 5055 starts after a 1-month total rating for convalescence under 38 CFR § 4.30, which begins upon hospital discharge. Typically, this results in a combined 5 months at 100%, unless the timeline is adjusted for individual cases. 

Once this temporary 100% period concludes, VA determines the long-term knee rating by evaluating any residual symptoms: 

• A 60% rating is assigned if, after surgery, there are chronic residuals such as severe painful motion or significant weakness in the leg. 

• If post-surgery symptoms are not considered "severe," VA rates the knee based on intermediate residuals by comparison with similar conditions listed under DC 5256, 5261, or 5262. 

• The minimum rating is 30% for total knee replacement (note: this minimum does not apply to resurfacing). 

Temporary 100% for Convalescence Can Still Be Extended 

Convalescence under 38 CFR § 4.30 can sometimes be extended when the medical evidence supports it. VA allows extensions in 1-, 2-, or 3-month increments, and additional extensions can be approved in more severe post-op situations (the regulation lays out how extensions work and when they’re allowed).

Practically, the strongest evidence is still what you’d expect: clear treatment notes and a doctor’s statement explaining why a longer recovery period is medically necessary.

One More “Timing” Note (Old vs. New Rules) 

If you see references to a 1-year 100% rating under DC 5055, that applied before February 7, 2021. Older appeals and decisions may still mention this rule.

To complete the picture, you might also wonder: What about knee replacement scars? 

Scars are still rated under the VA’s general scar criteria (separate from the knee joint rating itself), depending on things like pain, instability, and size/location.

If you’re facing challenges with your claim and need assistance, reach out for a free case evaluation.

🦅SUPPORT

Attention: Join us every Tuesday at 1400 hours EST for a new Livestream with our legal team!

Join us to get your questions about VA disability law and the claims process answered by our legal team. Comments open 1 hour prior to the Livestream starting, so get there early to get your question in. We try to answer as many as we can!

Were You Exposed to Asbestos During Military Service?

Many U.S. veterans were exposed to asbestos during their time in service, often without knowing the risks. Years later, this exposure has led to mesothelioma and other asbestos-related lung cancers for countless veterans.

If you served in the military and have been diagnosed, you may qualify for compensation. Our firm proudly helps veterans and their families pursue the benefits and justice they deserve.

Act now. Contact us today at (855) 494-1298 to learn more about your options or to begin your claim. You’ve served your country; let us serve you.

🗺️ TACTICS

Attorney’s Explain VA Foot Drop Symptoms, Causes, and How to Prove It 

In this video blog, Hill & Ponton's own managing attorney Matthew Hill and principal attorney Carol Ponton break down VA “foot drop,” what it looks like, what can cause it, and how veterans can document it properly for benefits.

Attorney Ponton explains that foot drop occurs when you cannot normally lift your toes and the front of your foot during a step. Instead of clearing the ground, the toes drag, which can make walking difficult and increase the risk of falls.

They note that foot drop can stem from several underlying, potentially service-connected conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, back problems, and peripheral neuropathy, which is often tied to diabetes.

A key takeaway is the impact on ratings. They emphasize that foot drop can qualify a veteran for a 60 percent rating for the affected leg, which is significantly higher than the ratings many veterans assume apply to a foot condition.

They also highlight a practical way to both treat and help prove the condition: using an AFO (ankle-foot orthosis) brace. The brace stabilizes the foot to prevent dragging and improve walking, and the fact that it’s prescribed and issued by the VA can serve as strong evidence of foot drop. 

Need Help with an Appeal? Hill & Ponton is Here for You

At Hill & Ponton, we specialize in helping veterans navigate the VA appeals process to secure the benefits they rightfully deserve. Whether you're facing a denied claim, an appeal for a higher rating, or need assistance gathering critical evidence, our team is ready to advocate for you.

Use our VA Disability Calculator to see if your current rating aligns with your level of disability and explore potential increases based on any secondary conditions you may have. Calculate Your VA Disability Rating Now!