Absence of family member due to military deployment

This code signifies the emotional and social impact on an individual or family due to the absence of a close family member who has been deployed for military service. It reflects the stress, adjustment difficulties, and potential disruption experienced by those remaining at home.

This code is appropriate when a patient presents with symptoms or conditions directly attributable to the stress or changes caused by a family member's military deployment. It can be used as a secondary diagnosis to provide context for mental health conditions, adjustment disorders, or other physical symptoms exacerbated by this life event.

• Always assign this code as a secondary diagnosis, never as a primary diagnosis.
• Ensure documentation clearly links the patient's condition or symptoms to the family member's military deployment.
• Do not use this code if the family member has returned from deployment; a different code applies in that scenario.