The delay on ladder was known before launch. Refunds were happily processed then. There is even a self help option that automatically grants it for you if you qualify so you don’t have to wait on a GM.
Your issue was that you were playing the game - they don’t refund used goods. So yes, your refund was denied because you were actively able to use the game and were doing so for an extended time. They explained that to you at the time, I assume. You posted about being denied your refund because you were playing the game (too much time played).
People for whom the ladder was the key point, refunded before release with no issues.
Here is the Refund Policy.