Quite frankly the difference between Val and a number of other guys is simply that the other guys didn't get caught.
Once you go through what Val did, there becomes a much closer eye on you. Obviously Val can't stay clean enough to keep out of trouble while more eyes are on him. Or he simply doesn't care, which quite frankly his summer behavior suggests may be the case.
It really would not surprise me if he doesn't come back in November, gives us a few really good months again, only to be suspended for a year come March or April month again. Only this time I'm not sure the league would allow him back.
In fact, this is the most likely scenario to me.