I83.0 Varicose veins of lower extremities with ulcer

ICD-10-CM Code I83.0: Varicose Veins of Lower Extremities with Ulcer

ICD-10-CM code I83.0 designates a diagnosis of varicose veins of the lower extremities accompanied by an ulcer. Varicose veins are dilated, tortuous subcutaneous vessels linked to chronic venous disease, which can progress to skin changes and venous ulcerations. This code is distinct from related diagnoses involving inflammation, and payer coverage documents reference clinical practice guidelines for management. 2 5 6

Plain-language overview

Varicose veins of the lower extremities are dilated, tortuous subcutaneous vessels measuring at least three millimeters, and chronic venous disease can progress to skin changes and venous leg ulcerations. 1 2

What this code represents

Code I83.0 represents varicose veins of the lower extremities with ulcer, distinguishing it from I83.2 which denotes varicose veins with both ulcer and inflammation. 3 5

Coding details

The I83.0 diagnosis falls under the I80-I89 category for diseases of veins, lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes, not elsewhere classified, within the circulatory system chapter. 4

Documentation considerations

Clinical classification for chronic venous disorders places active venous ulcers in the C6 category, while varicose veins are classified as C2, and documentation of specific anatomical ulcer locations allows for more specific code assignment. 2 3

Clinical context

The primary pathologies related to varicose veins are elevated venous pressure in the extremities and defective or incompetent valves resulting in reflux, with venous hypertension correlated with disease severity. 2

Coverage and utilization context

Payer coverage documents for the treatment of lower extremity varicose veins reference clinical practice guidelines from the Society for Vascular Surgery. 6

What the sources add

Clinical guidelines from the Society for Vascular Surgery address the management of venous ulcers associated with varicose veins classified as C5-C6 disease, whereas a separate clinical reference details the underlying valve pathology of varicose veins. 1 2

Official coding references list I83.0 as a broad category for varicose veins with ulcer, while a separate coding domain provides highly specific billable codes that specify the right lower extremity and the exact part of the lower leg affected. 3 4

Sources

1. The 2023 Society for Vascular Surgery, American Venous Forum, and American Vein and Lymphatic Society clinical practice guidelines for the management of varicose veins of the lower extremities. Part II — pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.
2. Bookshelf — ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.
3. Phecode 454 · Cancer PRSweb — csg.sph.umich.edu; accessed 2026-07-25.
4. ICD-10 | Varicose veins of right lower extremity with ulcer other part of lower leg (I83.018) — cdek.pharmacy.purdue.edu; accessed 2026-07-25.
5. ICD-10 Version:2019 — icd.who.int; accessed 2026-07-25.
6. LCD - Varicose Veins of the Lower Extremity, Treatment of (L33575) — cms.gov; accessed 2026-07-25.