I never called a java application from vb, but i did call .com,.exe,.bat and .pif files from a visual basic program.
this is done by using the shell command
shell(pathname,windowstyle)
pathname=full path of the application u want to run(ex: C:\windows\games\nba.exe)
windowStyle can take any of these values:
vbhide : ur application will run but it's hidden and has the focus
vbnormalfocus : normal with focus
vbminimizedfocus
vbmaximizedfocus
vbNormalNoFocus
vbMinimizedNoFocus
Hope this will help