Vascular dementia, severe, with mood disturbance

This code signifies a severe form of vascular dementia characterized by significant cognitive decline due to cerebrovascular disease, accompanied by prominent mood disturbances. These mood disturbances can include symptoms such as depression, anxiety, irritability, or apathy, which are directly attributable to the underlying dementia.

Use this code when documentation clearly indicates a diagnosis of vascular dementia that has progressed to a severe stage, impacting daily functioning and requiring substantial assistance. Crucially, the patient's medical record must also specify the presence of mood disturbances directly linked to the dementia.

• Ensure documentation explicitly states "severe" vascular dementia and details the associated mood disturbance.
• Differentiate from other dementia types with behavioral disturbances; the etiology must be vascular.
• Consider sequencing this code as the primary diagnosis if it is the main reason for the encounter.