Phrenic Nerve

On February 16, 1951, I suffered a traumatic fall, while attending U.S. Army parachute training at Fort Benning, GA. I landed on my upper back and neck, and although I did not lose consciousness, I was close. First aid was administered and after about 30 minutes I was able to get on my feet and walk slowly. I was not hospitalized, but went on to complete the training. From that day forward, I was never able to

[National Jewish]

Your paralyzed right diaphragm could be associated with your traumatic injury.  That could account for your shortness of breath.  If this is the case, there should have been evidence of the paralysis on all subsequent chest x-rays.  If you had any x-rays, you should retrieve them and/or the reports to try to date the onset of the paralysis.

[Ellis7]

Here's a link that might pertain:

http://tkdtutor.com/07Defense/EffectsOfBlows.htm
Effects of Blows
Excerpt:
"Blow to Throat
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Blow to the phrenic nerve that runs from the fourth cervical vertebra down into the chest, the thorax, to merge with the diaphragm may cause it the diaphragm to spasm and cause a feeling of getting the "wind knocked out" of you.
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Blow to Back of Neck
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Blow to the phrenic nerve, that leads to the diaphragm between the second and forth vertebra, may sever it and cause death due to respiratory paralysis. The nerve may be easily injured.

[knittedbear]

A related discussion, shrinking lung was started.