Top part of upright freezer not freezing and bottom part collecting ice.

The defrost water from the melted frost (ice) collects in the bottom of the freezer. If there is no plugged up drain, then you must remove the water manually with a sponge and bucket after a defrost cycle.

is the top of the freezer full where it can breathe remove something to help it breathe

The most common thing that causes this is a stopped up drain. Thaw the ice out of the bottom and locate the drain hole (probably towards the back, possibly behind the back panel) and clear with with a stiff wire or coat hanger.

If the water is unable to drain from the freezer during the defrost cycle it collects in the bottom and freezes there when the freezer is running again.

Hope this helps, let me know if you need further assistance.

Adjust the thermostat switch to different positions and see.

Check for ice on back wall if iced up check defrost heater and defrost timer also check and besure evaperator fan is working check wireharness on heater, timer, and evap. fan motor.Sounds like you have a defrost prob. Turn off for 24hrs to melt ice turn unit back on if it works for a few days then ices back up you have a defrost prob.

im not sure if i answered this one before. but this sounds like a blocked drain, the drain is located midway behind the shelves, you can take away the catch tray and poke a coat hanger down this hole hole to dislodge the blockage.

If it has a fan in the freezer it need to be running to circulate the cold air.
If the coils are not icing up evenly from top to bottom you have a system low on freon.
The light frosting is normal.
A model number would really help to troubleshoot the problem.

drain hose is kinked. straighten it out and clean it and it will be fine.

That is normal. The refrigerant runs through those shelves. They are the evaporator side of the unit.That is where the freezing effect comes from.
Check door seals for leaking air.
Keep door openings to a minimum.
Get in there and get out.
Those things will help prolong frost/ice buildup.

Sounds like a defrost system problem. Could be related to defrost timer, heaters or defrost thermostat. Have it serviced.