1 ICD-9-CM 438.9 is a billable medical code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis on a reimbursement claim, however, 438.9 should only be used for claims with a date of service on or before September 30, 2015.
1. vein-a blood vessel that carries blood from the capillaries toward the heart; all veins except the pulmonary vein carry unaerated blood. vena, venous blood vessel. accessory cephalic vein, vena cephalica accessoria-a vein that passes along the radial edge of the forearm and joins the cephalic vein near the elbow.
The figurative use of vein with the meaning explained above has been around for quite a while: Vein, etimology c.1300, from Old French veine vein, artery, pulse (12c.), from Latin vena a blood vessel, also a water course, a vein of metal, a person's natural ability or interest, of unknown origin.