HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — One letter forever changed Justin Carter and his family's lives.

Carter, a 22-year Army veteran, lost his brother-in-law, John Cloyd, to suicide after Cloyd's service in the Marines.

"With John having to travel so much, he spent an unholy amount of time in his vehicle," Carter said. "So, I went through it, and it was a scene that you could imagine from that kind of situation. Glass was everywhere. There was bodily fluids and blood everywhere. There was a letter from him, to him from the Veterans Affairs, with his appeal denial."

Cloyd was seeking service-connected VA benefits for depression following his service. His initial VA claim was denied, so he appealed. That appeal was also denied.

Cloyd took his life shortly after receiving the letter stating his seco

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