Spokane Litigation Lawyer.
I am quite confident that there is no "record" and agree that the 2 years referenced would be difficult to overcome as a general proposition. However, you mention an "ongoing medical condition" which might influence the outcome if there is an incompetence argument to be made as a result of that medical condition. Generally, the OAH follows the statutory procedure quite completely, but if not, this is one area of the law that is followed quite strictly. Thus, there might be technical...
If you agreed that the "earnest money" would be used as a "damage deposit" while you rented the property, then you should ask for it to be returned under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. You can find the specific RCWs on line (look for RCW 59.18.010 and following), but generally the Landlord needs to designate any "non-refundable" money in writing. So, if there is no such writing, the "damage deposit" should be refundable upon written request. If they plan to keep the deposit, they must...