Vascular dementia, severe, without beh/psych/mood/anx

This code signifies a severe decline in cognitive function due to cerebrovascular disease, impacting memory, executive function, and other cognitive domains. The patient exhibits significant impairment in daily activities, requiring substantial assistance, but does not present with any associated behavioral, psychotic, mood, or anxiety symptoms.

Apply this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of severe vascular dementia with no mention of behavioral disturbances, psychotic features, mood disorders, or anxiety. This typically applies to patients whose primary challenge is cognitive impairment and functional decline, rather than disruptive behaviors.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "severe" and "without behavioral disturbance, psychotic disturbance, mood disturbance, and anxiety."
• Differentiate from other dementia codes by confirming the vascular etiology and absence of specified behavioral/psychiatric symptoms.
• Review the medical record for any mention of agitation, aggression, delusions, hallucinations, depression, or generalized anxiety, which would necessitate a different subcategory.