I believe its the same whether SIDs or STARs - you should ask if "unrestricted" climb or descent. ie. climbing on SID, have to cross point A at 3000 feet, ATC clear you to FL160 (unlikely, I know), your reply should be "confirm climb UNRESTRICTED FL160?". However, I also think that ATC is meant to say "climb/ descend "unrestricted" XXX".
Perhaps a controller can confirm?