Another version:
ATC: "Descent 5000'
and later
ATC: "Follow the ABC 1 D arrival, report established on the localizer"
Are you still restricted to 5000 feet, if there is no mention of altitude (other than minim obstacle clearence) on the STAR ?
If you are not restricted to 5000', is it then because the altitude restriction wasn't repeated in the subsequent ATC call ?
Would it make a difference if the ATC terminology differs like this:
a) "Cleared the ABC 1 D arrival ..."
b) "Follow the ABC 1 D arrival ..."
c) "Expect the ABC 1 D arrival ..."
and so on - One thing is if pilots opinion differ, but how about ATC - it is like some of them expect you to descent (by yourself) with minimum altitudes stated on the STAR, so even if they gave you an altitude restriction earlier on ?
I'd still say that "cleared approach" and "cleared (a STAR)" is NOT the same - cleared approach let's you descent, UNLESS, it is accompanied with a "stop descent at ...".
Let's get this straight, references to the appropriate documents would be informative !