About 4 or 5 years ago, the VA started doing intake “wellness” type questions on patients seeking care at VA facilities. Things like “do you smoke, how muchj” do you drink, how much” “ do you feel depressed” “ what meds are you taking” etc. It seems harmless but I was told by one of the nurses there are actually correct answers to some of the questions. What they weren’t telling people was that the responses were scored with certain levels (if I said I drink two drinks three times a week, for example) it’s considered abuse bordering on alcoholism. Totaled together these scores allow them to slot you into different categories...one of which is the Brady provisions for firearms. This seems to be accelerated since the Newton shooting and the executive orders. I haven’t been back to VA since those, but the Executive order saying that doctors should ask about gun possession may be in effect at the VA (as they’re subject to Executive order). I wonder if you can plead the fifth. Good question for an attorney.
Personally, I’d rather trust in my ability to deal with the crazy people than the benevolence of the government.
Friends of ours in the military now say they go through questioning like you described when they return from deployment. They are encouraged to get help if they have problems sleeping or trouble in their marriage- things of that nature; it may be a good thing for those that do need help, but many feel like it is a trap and not good for their career. Sort of fits with what you posted that the VA is doing.