anyone here who can translate results of MRI spine into one sentence?

[LeftInTX]

3. 1. Herniated disc at L5-S1..If sciatica is present in the R leg, this is the explanation

2. and 3. can be considered, "expected degeneration, based on age". Since it is your son, if he is under 40 this may be more than expected. If your son is 60, this would be "normal".

Was he in an accident within the past year or did he have an event which led up to the herniated disc?

How long has he had symptoms of a herniated disc?

As to whether surgery is needed, it depends on his symptoms and progress.

Has he been to physical therapy? etc etc etc

Yes, his disc could make him a surgical candidate, but I would urge caution before jumping in.
They basically say, "Don't rush into surgery unless you have incontinence, or severe progressive numbness"

I agree with Post #2.
Sometimes people have really bad pain.
They get an MRI and then are looking at surgery.
Surgery really should be last resort, with a few exceptions. (The exception is incontinence)
Pain is not an exception.