anything wrong with using datatype object and determine datatype in class property?

I have a typed dataset and it has several integers columns that are null in the db. and when I make a call it throws exception..

is there anythign wrong with setting it as object in my dataset.. changing the throw exception property to Nothing and passing it to my property as integer?

Code:
for each row in myDS.DataTable
cRate.CustID = row.CustID
next row
and in my class

Code:
  
  Public Property CustID() As Integer
        Get
            Return _custID
        End Get
        Set(ByVal value As Integer)
            _custID = value
        End Set
    End Property