example to read return value from sp and output value in vb

storedProcWithReturnValue.vb

   Dim returnValue As String = ""
        Try
            Using tmsCommand As New SqlCommand("dbo.getUserXml", _tmsConnection)
                If _tmsConnection.State = ConnectionState.Closed Then _tmsConnection.Open()
                tmsCommand.CommandType = CommandType.StoredProcedure
                tmsCommand.Parameters.Add(New SqlParameter("@UserId", SqlDbType.Int, ParameterDirection.Input)).Value = userID
                tmsCommand.Parameters.Add(New SqlParameter("@UserXml", SqlDbType.Xml, 1)).Direction = ParameterDirection.Output
                Dim returnSpValue = New SqlParameter("@ReturnVal", SqlDbType.Int)
                tmsCommand.Parameters.Add(returnSpValue).Direction = ParameterDirection.ReturnValue
                tmsCommand.ExecuteNonQuery()
                
                If Not (tmsCommand.Parameters("@UserXml").Value Is DBNull.Value) Then 
                  returnValue = tmsCommand.Parameters("@UserXml").Value
                End If
                
                Dim result = returnSpValue.Value
                If (result = -1) Then
                    returnValue = returnSpValue.Value
                    Throw New Exception("Failed to execute sp correctly")
                End If
            End Using
        Catch Ex As SqlException
            _errorMessage = Ex.Message
        Catch Ex As Exception
            _errorMessage = Ex.Message
        Finally

        End Try
        Return returnValue