My experience many years ago was that the VA inspection was to protect the lender, and not the buyer of the property. While they did have a checklist of major items they did not go to the level of detail that a certified home inspector does.
Years ago I did a small project to update the training materials for a friend who was a home inspection trainer for the American Society of Home Inspectors. I used certified inspectors from the American Society of Home Inspectors for all of my home purchases.
This is from the Department of Veterans affairs website
My home was appraised by VA and now I am having problems with its
condition. Wasn't the appraisal an inspection of the property and
can't VA help me with these problems?
Although the VA fee appraiser must view the property from both the
exterior and interior to determine its overall condition, the
appraisal process is not intended to be an "inspection" of the
property. While the appraiser is an experienced observer, and is
required to recommend needed repairs based upon his or her
observations while completing the appraisal, the appraiser is not
expected to recommend cosmetic repairs, ensure that mechanical,
electrical and plumbing systems work properly, climb on the roof, etc.
VA cannot guarantee that all defective conditions will be seen by the
appraiser, or that the property will otherwise be satisfactory to the
buyer in all respects, and we have no authority to assist veteran
homeowners with the correction of defects in existing homes. VA
encourages homebuyers to satisfy themselves that the home they intend
to purchase is in a condition that is acceptable to them.