I have solved this problem myself.

It is not a data type problem. Sorry for the confusion.

I fully set up my database thru design mode and should of paid more attention to each default value setting of each column.

It is more a problem with the default value set for SCALE in the database table setup.

The default value is set to zero. So all numeric data is returned with no decimal places.

To change the scale of the numeric data values in the columns property .

Is as follows

Open Database Explorer

>select database file
>select tables
>right click over database file (just under the table)
>select "edit table schema"
>click the affected column name
>change the scale setting ( the number represents the number of decimal places)

Hope if any one else who is new to vb finds this useful, and solves their problem. All of my learning thru vb has been via this process of Google searches, trial and error , and reading forums like this one. Thank-you.