Drat. I cannot find now where I read otherwise, but you are right, all of DJI's info says you must return the drone.I’m pretty sure care refresh does require the drone.
There might be an exception for fly-away where the goggles log can prove a technical issue.
If you don’t have the drone , you could try talking to DJI , perhaps they’ll do something if the data logs can prove something- but I fear you’d be at the mercy of their generosity