Yes, I get that problem every time the PDF is created from a Word document using Times New Roman font.
The only solution I know of is changing font.
I posted about it a while ago:
https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87364
I am not sure if I described my problem accurately. I am not even sure it is a Times New Roman problem - although, I get a lot of word files from students and, if they are times new roman, that does ALWAYS happen. If I change fonts, the problem goes away.