I've had a low rating for my back/knees/tinnitus since I got back from overseas in 2012. I don't think anyone who has got back from overseas the last decade is looking at anything less than 30%. When I went in for my comp/pen appointment I didn't expect anything and told them I just wanted minor aches and pains documented, I was shocked I got a rating. Frankly, I think the pendulum may have swung too far, and some veterans take advantage of that. I fear the downstream effects may be a clamp down. It's true the VA used to dick seriously injured people around and deny their claims, now they approve virtually everything.
For what it's worth at my annual physicals at the VA I have told them that though my ears still ring, the discomfort in my back and knees has improved, I even re-joined the military last year and have held a Class 1 flight physical since then (though they did evaluate my range of motion). The VA still seems to have no intention of re-evaluating me. My experience with the VA has been positive, great benefits and in Boston great healthcare, but administratively the system is antiquated and a headache. Unfortunately this hurts many of the people who need help the most. My wife has a significantly higher rating due to a pretty serious back injury, a TBI, and some other issues, and she does get periodic re-evaluations.
One huge benefit, that may or may not be applicable to you, is that by virtue of having a rating over 20% you are eligible for vocational rehabilitation. This is essentially a bottomless GI Bill designed to help you find employment. I used this program to fund my $200K+ legal education as well as the rest of my undergrad. I went to UMass with a Marine who is about to finish his MD on the same program -- they covered his undergrad and medical school, probably close to half a million in education. My wife is taking advantage of the same program to get her NP/Nurse Midwife degree through Georgetown.
I'm not sure how old you are, if you're ready to just hang out for the rest of your life, how limiting your injuries are, etc. But frankly, I'd find something I'm passionate about learning, and get the free education. For much of this time you can concurrently draw BAH based off the location of your school. Almost every one of my veteran law school classmates was using this program, pulling in about $3200 a month in BAH for Boston. Like all the VA benefits, getting initial access can be a pain in the ass, but once you are in the program it's great.
