Is there a benefit to not doing schools such as Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault?

Yes.

Actually, I believe there is a down side to not attending these schools especially if you are a career soldier (lifer). I feel I was a better soldier for attending jump school and earning my wings. I also attended Ranger school but did not qualify and I was too exhausted at the time to make a good decision about recycling to the next class. If I had to do it all over again I would have stayed. Lucky I was assigned to a great unit the 1/509th just before the move to Italy in 1973. I learned a lot in Ranger school even though I did not complete the training only part I missed was Florida. I believe I carried that over to my unit.

Just because you attend schools such as Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault, Pathfinder etc., does not mean you will be assigned to only combat units. Those are designators that are attached to your primary MOS. Your primary is what determines where you will be stationed and what type of unit.

The real question is why would you not attend them? They are schools that the Army emphasizes and when it comes time for promotions these count towards that rating. There are only so many training slots for these schools so if your unit can get you in why not go?

Yeah, you don't get as much wear and tear on your body (I'm rated 100% disability). Career wise, no, those schools will set you apart. If you can get a slot, go to school.

Lack of chronic back pain.

Take any school you can get.

More likely to have less lower extremity problems later on?

Tell me how that works, will you- I spent all my career in combat units- bouncing from troops to staff and back .

If you plan on being a careerist, take the opportunities that are handed to you. Any of those schools will elevate you above someone who doesn't, even if they aren't relevant to your duty position or MOS.

You must first ask yourself why you volunteered and why you chose a particular MOS. Sounds like a question someone would ask wanting to change horses in the middle of the stream. Those schools have training necessary to attain the skill sets to perform in certain MOS classifications. Once you answer the first two questions, the answers will make those schools necessary or they wont. Its that simple. Frankly I don't understand the need for the question.