Can you appeal the Genius Bar's findings?

Question

So, here's the story.  After years of using iOS devices, I made the jump.  In July 2012, I purchased my first MacBook Pro.  I opted for the 13" (obviously, non-Retina) model.  I love my Mac and am sold...I doubt I'll ever switch back to Windows.
Something came up last month.  The monitor on my MacBook has a ghost-like image in the form of a half circle (like a horseshoe) and a line extending horiztonally from the top right of the horseshoe.  When I first noticed it, it was only viewable against certain shades of black - but since I purchased the extended warranty, and the Mac was less than a year old, I figured why not get it checked out.  So, I did.
Well, as it turns out, the "cause" for my issue, according to the Geniuses at the Apple store, is setting something on top of my Mac.  Which, I'm completely sure could cause this issue.  However, my Mac sits OPEN on my desk 24x7.  I never close it EXCEPT to pack it up in a well protected laptop case (which I also bought from the Apple store) every Thursday night to take it to school.  The commute is 10 minutes, and it sits ON my passenger seat - and then once I arrive, it comes back out, and sits open during class.  Honestly, I use it TOO much to ever close it.  Period.
So, I completely disagree with his findings - I do not disagree that setting things on top of a Mac could cause this issue, but I know - FOR A FACT - that NOTHING has ever set on top of my Mac.
Is there any way I can challenge this decision?  Sadly, I did not ask for a Manager.  When I attempted to get a second opinion, my "genius" told me that he had three of his co-workers from the back look at the Mac and they all came to the same conclusion, which was a result of "extensive" training they've received.  Again, I don't doubt that pressure ON a Mac could cause this - I just KNOW in my case this has not ever happened.  So, now...I sit with a ghosted image on my Mac, and it's basically my word against Apple's.  They're refusing to honor my warranty and I'm a little livid.
Any help?

Answer 1

Thanks - that's obviously the next logical step.  What I'm worried about is that this is going to be a "he said/she said" case, and of course, Apple will side with the findings of it's employees.  Doesn't mean I can't try, though...
I'm curious about taking it for a physical second opinion, say at another Apple store, but the tech recorded some items about my encounter in an iPad app.  Does anyone know if this information is stored company wide, or if it's proprietary to just that location?  I'd love to get someone - completely unrelated to this entire ordeal - to take a look at this and tell me honestly what they think.
What's unique about this situation is that my ghosted image is actually getting worse.  At first, you could only notice it very dimly lit rooms against certain shades of black.  Now, it's visible all of the time, anytime you use any dark background.