Unspecified dementia, mild, with mood disturbance

This code signifies a diagnosis of dementia of an unspecified type, presenting with mild cognitive impairment. A key feature is the presence of mood disturbances, such as depression, anxiety, or irritability, directly attributable to the dementia. The patient's functional abilities are mildly affected, but they generally maintain independence in daily activities.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of unspecified dementia with mild severity and co-occurring mood disturbances. This is appropriate when the specific etiology of the dementia (e.g., Alzheimer's, vascular) has not yet been determined or documented. Supporting documentation should include a neurological assessment, cognitive testing results indicating mild impairment, and notes detailing the observed mood symptoms.

• Ensure the documentation explicitly states "mild" severity and "mood disturbance" in the context of unspecified dementia.
• Do not use if the specific type of dementia is known; instead, code the specific dementia with the appropriate mood disturbance sub-code.
• Sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when it is the focus of the encounter, followed by codes for specific mood symptoms if separately documented and treated.