Vascular dementia, moderate, with mood disturbance

This code signifies a form of dementia resulting from cerebrovascular disease, characterized by a moderate decline in cognitive function. Patients present with noticeable impairments in memory, executive function, or other cognitive domains, accompanied by significant mood alterations such as depression, anxiety, or irritability.

Apply this code when documentation explicitly states a diagnosis of vascular dementia at a moderate severity level, and clearly indicates the presence of a mood disturbance. Supporting clinical notes should detail cognitive deficits consistent with moderate impairment and describe specific mood symptoms.

• Ensure documentation specifies "moderate" severity; avoid using this code for mild or severe vascular dementia.
• Verify that mood disturbance is clearly linked to the dementia, not an independent psychiatric condition.
• Do not code additional mood disorder codes unless the mood disturbance is explicitly stated as separate from the dementia.