Good luck to you working as a VA psychologist. There are some really cool things about it (the ability to actually leverage behavioral science to help veterans) and some not-so-cool things about it (the overwhelming bureaucracy and disempowerment of clinicians). On balance, you can do a lot of good and you can sleep at night. The most challenging thing I've had to contend with is the persistent implicit pressure (from the system, some veterans, some families, and even administrative/clinical 'higher ups' at the facility) to misrepresent things or to give an 'opinion' on a clinical issue that wasn't actually the opinion that I have (or that the literature supports). For example, topics such as supposed postconcussive syndrome (persisting for years), 'total and permanent unemployability' for mental health issues, the need for 'caregivers' for mental health issues, service dog prescriptions, the incessant 'I need you to write a letter stating that it's professional opinion is X and send it to Y,' are constant challenges to navigate as you strain to maintain the therapeutic alliance while simultaneously not lying. That's my line in the sand, simply 'not lying' as a professional. I don't lie to or for my clients (even if they want me to). You'd be amazed how challenging that can be in the VA system. However, I have to say that, so far (knock on wood), I've been able to hold my ground and not be fired or unduly punished for doing so. If you know (or learn) the relevant literature and are able to quote it verbatim then, most of the time, people will eventually cease imploring you to lie to them. And, if people push too hard, I just come right out and address the issue bluntly, to the effect of 'I assure you that if/when I form a particular clinical or professional opinion about X, I'll be the first to know and I'll inform YOU of what my opinion is, and not the other way around.'
Another thing you'll notice is that the VA system has an infuriating tendency to OVERCOMPLICATE the truly simple (e.g., rescheduling a routine appointment) while simultaneously OVERSIMPLIFYING the truly complex (e.g., suicide prevention).
If you can find a clinical position that allows for a bit of autonomy in your clinical work you may find it overall to be a good professional experience. I'm sure every VA is different.
